Traditional acts of the theological virtues

Acts of Faith, Hope and Charity

Short acts of the three theological virtues, in the classic Latin form

LatinEnglish

Actus fideiDómine Deus, firma fide credo et confíteor ómnia et síngula quæ sancta Ecclésia Cathólica propónit, quia tu, Deus, ea ómnia revelásti, qui es ætérna véritas et sapiéntia quæ nec fállere nec falli potest. In hac fide vívere et mori státuo. Amen.

Act of FaithO Lord God, I firmly believe and confess each and every thing that the holy Catholic Church proposes, because thou, O God, hast revealed them all, thou who art eternal truth and wisdom, who canst neither deceive nor be deceived. In this faith I am resolved to live and to die. Amen.

Actus speiDómine Deus, spero per grátiam tuam remissiónem ómnium peccatórum, et post hanc vitam ætérnam felicitátem me esse consecutúrum: quia tu promisísti, qui es infiníte potens, fidélis, benígnus, et miséricors. In hac spe vívere et mori státuo. Amen.

Act of HopeO Lord God, I hope by thy grace for the pardon of all my sins, and after this life to attain eternal happiness, because thou hast promised it, who art infinitely powerful, faithful, kind and merciful. In this hope I am resolved to live and to die. Amen.

Actus caritatisDómine Deus, amo te super ómnia et próximum meum propter te, quia tu es summum, infinítum, et perfectíssimum bonum, omni dilectióne dignum. In hac caritáte vívere et mori státuo. Amen.

Act of CharityO Lord God, I love thee above all things, and my neighbour for thy sake, because thou art the highest, infinite and most perfect good, worthy of all love. In this charity I am resolved to live and to die. Amen.

SourceTraditional acts of the theological virtues · Short acts of the three theological virtues, in the classic Latin form

The history of this prayer

Faith, hope and charity are the three theological virtues: received at Baptism, they have God himself as their object and motive (1 Cor 13:13). The “acts” are short prayers in which the soul consciously exercises them — I believe because God has revealed, I hope because God has promised, I love because God is the highest good. Traditional catechisms recommend making them morning and evening and at the hour of death.

The Latin given here is the classic form of the Latin prayer manuals. As early as the eighteenth century Pope Benedict XIV granted indulgences to those who make these acts. Today the Enchiridion of Indulgences grants a partial indulgence for devoutly making the acts of the theological virtues, in any approved formula.

Other traditional English versions exist (for example, “O my God, I firmly believe that thou art one God in three divine Persons…”). Each says the same essential thing: the motive for believing, hoping and loving is God himself.

Frequently asked questions

What are the theological virtues?

Faith, hope and charity. They are called theological because they relate directly to God and are infused by him into the soul at Baptism.

When should I pray the Acts of Faith, Hope and Charity?

Catechisms recommend making them on waking, at night and above all at the hour of death; many also say them before Holy Communion.

More prayers: Every Catholic's prayers

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