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n an epoch where the winds of baseness sweep over everything and even try to drag the priesthood into mediocrity— extolling a disparaged, demotic and secularized clergy to the taste of the reigning demagogy—the noble figure of Cardinal Merry del Val presents an admirable model of supernatural dignity that well illustrates the ineffable dignity of the priest in the Church of God. That dignity can shine not only in a prelate like Rafael Merry del Val, but also in the most modest town vicar. Christian pride is not the opposite of humility, but rather its harmonious complement. The Secretary of State of Saint Pius X was a profoundly humble soul, and from him came one of the most beautiful writings on Christian humility (see prayer below). In this section, where we usually compare two contrasting pictures, today we compare a photograph with a prayer. Our readers will thus see how a most elevated dignity coexists with a most profound humility in a genuine, supernaturally Catholic heart, in imitation of that Sacred Heart that the Church tells us is at the same time meek, humble and infinitely majestic. n
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Litany of Humility O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me. From the desire of being esteemed, * deliver me, Jesus. From the desire of being loved, * From the desire of being extolled, * From the desire of being honored, * From the desire of being praised, * From the desire of being preferred, * From the desire of being consulted, * From the desire of being approved, * From the fear of being humiliated, * From the fear of being despised, * From the fear of suffering rebukes, * From the fear of being calumniated, * From the fear of being forgotten, * From the fear of being ridiculed, * From the fear of being wronged, * From the fear of being suspected, * That others may be more loved than I, ** Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. That others may be esteemed more than I, ** That in the opinion of the world others may increase and I may decrease, ** That others may be chosen and I set aside, ** That others may be praised and I unnoticed, ** That others may be preferred to me in everything, ** 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. This article was originally published in the magazine Catolicismo, Issue #44, August 1954. It has been translated and adapted for publication without the author’s revision. –Ed.
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