What Could Be Better On This New Year's Eve Than Another Shot of Humility?

New Year's Eve just arrived - the last day of 2024. Tomorrow begins another year. Most of us will greet it in our customary way.

After years of working on New Year's Eve - as a musician playing one of those New Year's Eve parties some folks like to indulge in - once I "retired" from the weekend and special holiday gigs, I've been content with just staying home. More than content actually.

What's your New Year's Eve favorite flavor? Whatever it is, do try to be temperate in the indulgence arena. Never really understood the point in waking up New Year's Day with bloodshot eyes, a headache, and a sour stomach.  

But no worries, we can all still welcome the New Year with a glass or two of champagne such that perhaps even St. Benedict - the paragon of all things in moderation - might even approve of...sort of.

In any case, since wee focused on the virtue of humility throughout Advent. So in that spirit, with champagne glasses raised, we wish all a Happy New Year. And with that wish something for the soul that might set the spiritual tempo for 2025 - the well-known Litany of Humility by Cardinal Merry del Val. 

 

Litany of Humility
Cardinal Merry del Val (1891-1930)

O Jesus! Meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed – Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved – Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled – Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored – Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised – Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others – Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted – Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved – Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated – Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised – Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes – Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated – Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten – Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed – Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged – Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected – Deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I – Jesus grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be more esteemed 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 become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should,
~ Jesus grant me the grace to desire it. ~

Merry Christmas

and

Happy New Year!