Humility sits quietly at the heart of Christian virtue — unassuming, yet transformative. It isn’t weakness, nor does it mean thinking less of yourself; rather, it’s seeing yourself truthfully through God’s eyes. St. Augustine once said, “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” In that simple but profound line, he captures what centuries of theology have echoed: humility restores what pride destroys.
St. Thomas Aquinas described humility as a virtue that tempers the soul’s appetite for greatness, keeping our desires rightly ordered under God’s will. In his Summa Theologica, he explained that humility aligns our hearts with truth — for truth, in its purest form, is to recognize God as the source of all good. Unlike meekness misunderstood as passivity, humility is active — it strengthens rather than weakens, liberating the soul from the endless hunger for recognition.
In a culture that prizes self-promotion, humility stands as quiet resistance. It invites us to find joy not in being above others but in serving them — and in doing so, reflecting Christ Himself.
The Importance of Humility
The virtue of humility is not simply moral decorum — it’s the foundation of spiritual growth. Without humility, there can be no genuine relationship with God, for pride clouds our vision and blinds us to grace. St. Augustine on humility taught that it is the dwelling place where all other virtues live. Pride, in contrast, builds illusions of self-sufficiency — a fragile world that collapses when tested.
Scripture repeatedly reminds us of this tension between pride and grace. In Romans 7:21–23, Paul confesses, “When I want to do good, evil lies close at hand.” This struggle captures the essence of humility: an honest awareness of our weakness paired with dependence on divine mercy. Through humility, we confront not only our flaws but also the illusion that we can save ourselves.
Recognizing oneself through God’s perspective dismantles false pride. It shifts the gaze from self to Savior — from personal merit to divine mercy. Humility brings peace to the restless heart, the kind of peace that comes when we realize our worth lies not in achievement but in belonging to God.
Characteristics of Humility
A humble person is not one who hides from the world but one who stands in truth. They are self-aware yet unselfconscious — not bound by the weight of others’ opinions. St. Thomas Aquinas notes that humility frees the soul from pride’s tyranny, allowing us to act without vanity or fear of judgment.
Among the saints and humility’s great witnesses, St. Mother Teresa shines brightly. Her entire life was a sermon in silence. She once said, “If you are humble, nothing will touch you — neither praise nor disgrace — because you know what you are.” Humility, in her example, was not about denial but about clarity — the freedom to love without needing to be noticed.
A truly humble person seeks to purify the heart of selfish desires — the craving for recognition, control, or affirmation. Such purification doesn’t shrink a person’s worth; it expands their capacity to love. In humility, we discover that joy is not found in being important, but in being present.
Overcoming Pride and Selfish Desires
Pride is subtle. It often dresses itself as righteousness, ambition, or even humility. Overcoming pride means identifying our need for esteem — that quiet craving for praise and approval that sneaks into our words and deeds.
True spiritual growth through humility begins when we invite God to expose these hidden motives. St. Augustine urged believers to look inward, not with condemnation but with honesty: “Do not go outward; return within yourself. In the inward man dwells the truth.” When we align our desires with God’s will, we loosen pride’s grip and allow grace to work freely.
Humility teaches us how to handle both criticism and failure without losing peace. When others misunderstand us or when success eludes us, humility whispers that our worth isn’t on trial. God alone sees the heart, and that is enough. This interior freedom — being unshaken by praise or blame — is one of humility’s greatest gifts.
The Litany of Humility — A Prayer for Transformation
One of the Church’s most profound prayers, the Litany of Humility, attributed to Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val, distills the essence of Christian humility into a series of petitions. Each line challenges the ego and invites transformation. Let’s reflect on it, line by line.
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, hear me.
This opening invocation sets the tone — humility begins in imitation of Christ, whose heart was both strong and gentle. It reminds us that humility is not achieved by effort alone but through grace.
From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me, Jesus.
We often measure ourselves by others’ approval. This line calls for freedom from that bondage — to find our value not in esteem but in divine love.
From the desire of being loved, deliver me, Jesus.
Even the pure desire to be loved can become self-centered when detached from God. This petition purifies love itself, reminding us that to receive love rightly, we must first love selflessly.
From the desire of being extolled, honored, praised, preferred, consulted, or approved, deliver me, Jesus.
Each phrase exposes a layer of pride’s disguise. Humility doesn’t reject excellence or recognition but detaches from the need for it. Our dignity rests in God’s regard, not public applause.
From the fear of being humiliated, despised, rebuked, calumniated, forgotten, ridiculed, wronged, or suspected, deliver me, Jesus.
Here lies the deep purification of the soul — the freedom to suffer misunderstanding without bitterness. It’s where humility meets courage, trusting that God’s truth endures beyond human opinion.
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
This radical charity reorders the heart. It’s not self-hatred but self-forgetfulness — a joy in others’ good that mirrors the love of heaven itself.
That others may be esteemed more than I… that others may be chosen and I set aside…
Each line trains the soul to rejoice in others’ blessings, breaking envy’s chains. It transforms competition into communion.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed… that others may be preferred to me in everything…
This is humility at its most beautiful — the quiet acceptance of being unseen, trusting that our hiddenness is not emptiness but intimacy with God.
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.
The final line grounds humility in purpose: not comparison, but sanctity. It acknowledges that holiness is not a contest, but a call.
Embracing Selfless Desires
Once pride loosens its grip, the soul becomes free to love rightly. Humility redirects our desires — from self-promotion to service. This is where selflessness in Christianity finds its full expression.
To embrace selfless desires is to find joy in lifting others. The humble heart delights in seeing others thrive because love, by nature, expands. St. Paul echoes this in Philippians 2:3–4: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
When we detach from worldly recognition, we begin to taste divine freedom — the kind of joy that neither praise nor criticism can touch. True humility doesn’t deny one’s gifts; it uses them generously, never hoarding credit, always pointing back to God.
The Role of Humility in Facing Fear
Fear often hides behind pride. We fear humiliation, rejection, or failure — and pride builds walls to protect us. But humility tears those walls down, not by denying fear, but by trusting that love is greater.
Jesus Himself demonstrated this truth most clearly in His Passion. Though mocked and beaten, He faced suffering with unshakable peace. His humility wasn’t passive — it was powerful enough to embrace the cross. The saints and humility’s martyrs followed the same path: not seeking pain, but accepting it when love demanded courage.
Humility transforms fear into faith. When we no longer fear humiliation, we are free — free to love boldly, to serve joyfully, to stand firm in truth.
Living the Virtue of Humility
Humility is not the world’s way, but it is Christ’s way — and therefore, the way to peace. It teaches us to live truthfully, to love freely, and to see ourselves as God sees us: precious, yet dependent; strong, yet surrendered.
If pride isolates, humility unites. It reconciles us to God, to others, and to ourselves. St. Augustine once summarized the entire Christian journey in three words: “First humility, second humility, third humility.”
To cultivate humility is to walk with Christ Himself. And as we pray the Litany of Humility, line by line, may we discover what every saint already knew — that the lowest place, when chosen in love, is the most exalted of all.
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” — Matthew 23:12
Humility. CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Humility. (n.d.).
Ch. 2 - the virtue of humility. My Catholic Life! (2017, December 30).
FAQs
1. What is the virtue of humility in Christianity?
In Christianity, humility is the virtue that allows a person to see themselves truthfully in relation to God. It means acknowledging one’s dependence on divine grace and valuing others without comparison. Humility isn’t self-deprecation—it’s spiritual clarity rooted in love and truth.
2. Why did St. Augustine emphasize humility so strongly?
St. Augustine taught that humility is the foundation of all virtues because it restores what pride destroys. For him, humility is the soul’s path back to God—recognizing that every good thing we do is the result of divine grace, not human pride.
3. How does humility help in overcoming pride?
Humility confronts pride by revealing our limitations and redirecting our focus from self-glory to God’s glory. Through prayer, repentance, and reflection, we learn to let go of the need for recognition and instead find joy in serving others.
4. What can we learn from the Litany of Humility?
The Litany of Humility teaches detachment from praise, fear, and ambition. Each line is a prayer asking Christ to free us from the desire for esteem and the fear of rejection—transforming our hearts toward peace, selflessness, and divine trust.
5. How do saints like Mother Teresa embody the virtue of humility?
Saints such as Mother Teresa lived humility by serving others without seeking praise. Their joy came from loving Christ in the poor and forgotten, reminding us that true greatness lies not in being admired but in quietly doing God’s will.
6. How does humility strengthen faith during fear or suffering?
Humility strengthens faith by helping us surrender control to God. When we face fear, humility reminds us that we are never alone—our weakness becomes the space where God’s strength is revealed.