The Act of Love is a traditional Catholic prayer expressing charity towards God and neighbor. It originates from various catechisms and prayer books designed to teach the faithful. Its purpose is to intentionally stir the soul to love God above all things and to love and forgive others for His sake.
This prayer, in various forms, became popular after the Council of Trent as a way for the laity to learn and express the theological virtues. Its text summarizes the two Great Commandments given by Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines this love, or charity, as "the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God" (CCC 1822). It is a foundational prayer of Christian life.
The Act of Love is a conscious choice to fulfill Jesus's command to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). It affirms that God is the source and object of all authentic love. By stating we love our neighbor "for the love of Thee," the prayer roots our human relationships in our primary relationship with God. It also practically applies this love by including the difficult but essential acts of forgiving others and asking for forgiveness ourselves.
This prayer is commonly recited during morning or evening prayers, often with the Acts of Faith and Hope. It is also a fitting prayer to say before an examination of conscience in preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or as a post-Communion thanksgiving. It can be prayed at any moment one wishes to renew their commitment to God, overcome feelings of anger, or refocus the heart on what matters most in the spiritual life.
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