Saint John Mary Vianney

Act of Love

The Curé of Ars, in his own words

FrenchEnglish

Je vous aime, ô mon Dieu, et mon seul désir est de vous aimer jusqu'au dernier soupir de ma vie. Je vous aime, ô Dieu infiniment aimable, et j'aime mieux mourir en vous aimant que de vivre un seul instant sans vous aimer. Ô mon Dieu, si ma langue ne peut dire à tout moment que je vous aime, je veux que mon cœur vous le répète autant de fois que je respire.

I love You, O my God, and my only desire is to love You until the last breath of my life. I love You, O infinitely lovable God, and I would rather die loving You than live one instant without loving You. O my God, if my tongue cannot say at every moment that I love You, I want my heart to repeat it to You as often as I draw breath.

Amen.

SourceSaint John Mary Vianney · The Curé of Ars, in his own words

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The history of this prayer

St John Mary Vianney (1786–1859) was parish priest of Ars, a poor village near Lyon, for over forty years. He spent up to sixteen hours a day in the confessional, and people travelled from all over France to confess to him.

The Act of Love is the prayer tradition hands down as his: a few lines in which everything comes down to wanting to love God until one's last breath. Pius XI canonized him in 1925 and named him patron of parish priests in 1929. His feast is on 4 August.

Frequently asked questions

Did the Curé of Ars really write the Act of Love?

It is the prayer tradition attributes to him and that circulates under his name. Its spirit is exactly that of his sermons and catechism instructions.

When should I pray the Act of Love?

At any time: on waking, after Communion, before sleep. It is short enough to learn by heart and repeat through the day.

When is the feast of St John Vianney?

On 4 August. He is the patron of parish priests.

More prayers: Prayers of the saints

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