Descend by Humility

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

O God, you led St. Benedict to seek you through prayer, work, obedience, and life in community. Through his intercession, give me a listening heart and bring holy order to my days. Keep me faithful in small duties, peaceful with others, generous to the stranger, and steady on the way that leads to life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us pause in silence, and bring to mind the intention you are praying for.

In the app, your own saved intention rests here during the silence. The narration stays the same for everyone.

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Benedict describes humility as a patient descent from illusion into truth. We do not become smaller than God made us; we stop pretending to be self-sufficient. At the lower place, there is room to receive mercy, learn from correction, and honor the gifts of others.

Lord, bring me gently into the truth about myself: loved, limited, gifted, and dependent on grace. Take away pride and false self-contempt alike. Through St. Benedict's intercession, help me receive correction and serve without needing to be above anyone. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

St. Benedict, wise teacher of those who seek God, carry my intention before the Lord. Pray that the holy Cross may guide and protect me, that peace may govern my relationships, and that prayer and work may become one faithful offering. Help me begin again each day and persevere with Christ to the end. Amen.

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