The Practice of Humility

Humility is the greatest virtue in the spiritual life, the virtue which unlocks the graces of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It is the virtue by which we reach Heaven. It is the virtue Our Lord prized, for He is the greatest instructor of humility: “Learn of me, because I am meek and humble of heart” (Matt. 11:29).

In this marvelous work, Pope Leo XIII sets forth sixty counsels, little reflections, on how you can strive for this most glorious virtue. And he concludes this book with some of the most beautiful quotes on humility from some of the greatest saints, such as St. Augustine, St. Ambrose, and St. Bernard. He wrote this powerful little work while serving as the Bishop of Perugia.

“Let the study of the knowledge of yourself, the fleeing from honors, and the love of humiliations, be your weapons; and of these you should never divest yourself, no, not even for a single moment,” says Pope Leo XIII. The pope further declares, “Holy Communion, by which we receive within our breasts in very substance the God made man and annihilated for love of us, is a wonderful school of humility and a most powerful means of acquiring it.”

Humility must be practiced daily in order to be acquired. Only a man of humility could write such a profound work—a work, which will inspire you to battle the vice of pride with renewed vigor.