# Venerable Matt Talbot and the Litany of Humility
*2016-06-17*

> Bill Young reflects on the life of Venerable Matt Talbot, patron of those struggling with alcohol, and leads the Litany of Humility that Talbot himself cherished.

## Who Was Venerable Matt Talbot?

Matt Talbot was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1856 and died in 1925. The first thirty years of his life were marked by heavy drinking and alcoholism. In his thirties he experienced a conversion, stopped drinking cold‑turkey, and devoted himself to a life of penance and prayer. The Church has declared him Venerable, and he is regarded as the patron of those seeking sobriety.

## Why the Litany of Humidity Matters

Matt Talbot kept a simple yet powerful prayer known as the Litany of Humility. It was composed by Conrad Murray Deval and is traditionally recited after the celebration of the Eucharist. The litany asks Jesus to deliver us from every desire for esteem, honor, praise, and the fear of humiliation, so that we may grow in true humility.

## The Litany of Humility

In the name of the Father, and of His Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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 excelled, 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, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calculated, 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, grant me that grace, Jesus.
That others may be esteemed more than I, grant me that grace, Jesus.
That in the opinion of the world others may increase and I may decrease, grant me that grace, Jesus.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, grant me that grace, Jesus.
That others may be praised and I be unnoticed, grant me that grace, Jesus.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, grant me that grace, Jesus.
That others may be holier than I, grant me that grace, Jesus.
In awareness and love of my nothingness, grant me, O Jesus.
Perpetual memory of my sinfulness, grant me, O Jesus.
The conviction of my weakness, grant me, O Jesus.
The abhorrence of every vanity, grant me, O Jesus.
The pure intention of serving God, grant me, O Jesus.
The perfect submission of my will to God's will, grant me, O Jesus.
The true spirit of repentance, grant me, O Jesus.
The holy hatred of all envy and jealousy, grant me, O Jesus.
The readiness to forgive those who offend me, grant me, O Jesus.
The prudence to say nothing about the affairs of others, grant me, O Jesus.
Peace and love towards everyone, grant me, O Jesus.
A longing to accept scorn and humiliation in a holy manner, grant me, O Jesus.

O Mary, my Queen and Mother, teacher of the humble, pray for me. Pray for all righteous souls, especially those seeking humility.

## Our Prayer for the Sobriety‑Seeking

Lord God, who resist the proud and give grace to the humble, grant us the virtue of true humility, modeled by your Son, so that we may not be provoked by pride but live in obedient love. May we receive the gifts of your grace. Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

## A Practical Invitation

If you or someone you know struggles with alcohol, consider seeking help through AA or another support network, and pray for the intercession of Venerable Matt Talbot.

*True humility, cultivated through prayer like the Litany of Humility, opens the way to lasting freedom from addiction.*