Title: Be Like Mary

Aspect: Self

Anchor Verse: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;47     my spirit rejoices in God my savior.48 For he has
looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness;    behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.” – Luke 1: 46-48

Topic:
The Litany of Humility, a beautiful prayer often attributed to Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val, has gained its
popularity over the years because of its simplicity, honesty and relatability. Whenever I would use this prayer, I
can’t help but think of the Blessed Virgin Mary and how she emulates every single line of this prayer.

Humility might strikes as something unattainable especially in the world today where money speaks and titles
makes a difference but one must remember the littleness of this Lady and the role she played in our story of
salvation.
Mary’s humility has led her to the many “YESes” to God’s will in her life. Her biggest “yes” led to her greatest role
as a mother of God.

Although Mary was sinless, she was the most humble of all God’s creatures. Never for an instant of her life did she
fail to acknowledge all that she had, she possessed as God’s gift. 1

God calls us the same way. He is not after our title or achievements but He is more after our heart.

Let us take inspiration from Mother Mary as we also strive to seek and follow God’s will in our lives.

In his book, 33 days to Morning Glory, Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC shared the writings of Fr. Joseph Langford, MC. Fr.
Langford, inspired by the teachings of St. Theresa of Calcutta, spelled out the 12 details of the Missionary of
Charity’s Rights and Duties which we can all learn from:

Mary’s Duties My Duties

1. To give of her spirit and heart.
2. To possess, protect, and transform me.
3. To inspire, guide, and enlighten me.
4. To share her experience of prayer and
praise.
5. Responsibility for my sanctification.
6. Responsibility for all that befalls me.
7. To share with me her virtues.
8. To provide for my spiritual and
material needs.
9. Union with her heart.
10. To purify me and her actions.
11. Right to dispose of me, of my prayers
and intercessions and graces.
12. Total freedom in and around me, as
she pleases in all things.
1. Total gift of all I have and am.
2. Total dependence on her.
3. Responsiveness to her spirit.
4. Faithfulness to prayer.
5. Trust in her intercession.
6. Accept as all coming from her.
7. Imitate her spirit.
8. Constant recourse to her.
9. Remembrance of her presence.
10. Purity of intentions, self-denial.
11. Right to avail of myself of her and her energies for
the sake of the kingdom.
12. Right to enter into her heart, to share her interior
life.

Go through this list shared by St. Teresa of Calcutta and pick one duty that you can “champion” for a period of time
until you are able to check out all the items on the list. Notice how you are able to grow in grace.
A famous quote from St. Teresa of Calcutta says “Humility is not learned from the books, humility is learned from
humiliations received”. We pray for the grace to be humble just like our Blessed Virgin Mary and bear humiliations
with a deeper trust in God’s will.

Humility is strength – the strength of the divine in a human heart free of pride. Humility is truth – enabling us to
see ourselves as we are. Humility gives us a sense of values—keeping us in rightful place as creatures. Humility is
wisdom and its practice brings a rich reward. 2

Guide Question:
1) Do you think humility is attainable in your life? What do you think makes a person humble?
2) Think of a person who you think is humble and share what trait of that person best describe humility.

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1
Meditations on Mary by Cardinal Terence Cooke pg. 33
2
Ibid., page 34

Suggested Addition to Closing Prayer:

Litany of Humility
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being honored,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being praised,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being approved,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being despised,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I go unnoticed,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

Source: EWTN Website