My Story? the Litany of Humility
Why My Story Must Begin with Prayer
It’s fitting that this question reached me in an indirect but timely way — right when I’ve been reflecting on whether I should ever write my story.
This past weekend, Fr. Mike Schmitz posed a question during his homily that originally came from the Hallow app. He asked:
If you were to write a book, what would it be about? What genre would it be? What story would you tell?
That question stayed with me.
I’ve always felt that I communicate more clearly through writing — even if it takes time to gather my thoughts. Writing forces me to slow down. To reflect. To be honest.
So naturally, I began asking myself:
What is my story?
Before I share experiences, lessons learned, failures, growth, or even insights, I want to begin with a prayer.
Why?
Because everything placed on this website should serve a purpose beyond myself. My hope is that something written here might help someone else. That it might encourage someone who feels stuck. That it might show that if you keep striving — no matter how long it takes, no matter the obstacles, setbacks, trials, or tribulations — growth is possible.
Goals can be accomplished.
This blog and website is…
“not about recognition. It is not about praise. It is not about “look at me.” It is about design. It is about creation. It is about sharing. It is about FAITH. It is about becoming better — as a man, as a husband, as a father, as a professional, and most importantly, as a follower of Christ. Before anything else, I want to root this journey in humility. I want my intentions purified. I want to rid my heart of selfish ambition. Before my story begins, I begin with this 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 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.
Amen.
The journey begins here.