Act of Charity

Expressing love of God above all things and love of neighbour.

The Act of Love, or Act of Charity, is a Catholic prayer expressing the greatest of the theological virtues — charity. It declares love of God above all things and love of neighbour as oneself, including forgiveness of those who have caused hurt.

The Prayer

O my God, I love You above all things,
with my whole heart and soul,
because You are all good and worthy of all love.
I love my neighbor as myself for the love of You.
I forgive all who have injured me
and I ask pardon of all whom I have injured.
Amen.

About This Prayer

Charity (love) is the greatest of the theological virtues (1 Corinthians 13:13) and the form of all the other virtues. St Thomas Aquinas calls it ‘the mother and root of all the virtues.’ This prayer expresses both dimensions of the great commandment: love of God and love of neighbour.