Prayer for acquiring humility (trans. ©Washington province of Discalced Carmelites Inc. 1997)
« This is my Body, that is for you » (1Co 11,24)
O Jesus! when you were a Pilgrim on earth (Heb 11,13), you said: "Learn of Me for I am gentle and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls" (Mt 11,29). O Mighty Monarch of Heaven, yes, my soul finds rest in seeing you, clothed in the form and nature of a slave (Phil 2,7), humbling yourself to wash the feet of your apostles. I recall your words that teach me how to practice humility: "I have given you an example so that you may do what I have done. The disciple is not greater than the Master. If you understand this, happy are you if you put them into practice." Lord, 1 do understand these words that came from your gentle and humble Heart and I want to practice them with the help of your grace...
O my Beloved, no one had this right over you and yet you obeyed not only the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph but even your executioners. Now in the Sacred Host I see you at the height of your annihilation. How humble you are, O divine King of Glory, to subject yourself to all your priests without making any distinction between those who love you and those who are, alas! lukewarm or cold in your service. At their word you come down from heaven... O my Beloved, how gentle and humble of heart you seem under the veil of the white Host! To teach me humility you cannot humble yourself further...
But, you know my weakness, Lord. Every morning I make a resolution to practice humility and in the evening I recognize that 1 have committed again many faults of pride. At this I am tempted to become discouraged but I know that discouragement is also pride. Therefore, O my God, I want to base my hope in you alone. Since you can do everything, deign to bring to birth in my soul the virtue I desire. To obtain this grace of your infinite mercy I will very often repeat: "O Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, make my heart like yours!"
