Lesson 38: Additional Prayers and Devotions

259. What is the Act of Faith?

The Act of Faith is: “O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in three Divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; I believe that Thy Divine Son became man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.”

260. Why do we make an Act of Faith?

We make an Act of Faith to profess our belief in God and the truths He has revealed through His Church.

261. What is the Act of Hope?

The Act of Hope is: “O my God, relying on Thy infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.”

262. Why do we make an Act of Hope?

We make an Act of Hope to express our trust in God’s mercy and His promise of eternal life.

263. What is the Act of Charity?

The Act of Charity is: “O my God, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.”

264. Why do we make an Act of Charity?

We make an Act of Charity to declare our love for God and our neighbor, fulfilling the greatest commandment.

265. What is the Act of Contrition?

The Act of Contrition is: “O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life.”

266. When do we say the Act of Contrition?

We say the Act of Contrition especially in Confession, when seeking forgiveness for our sins, or in preparation for death.

267. What is the Confiteor?

The Confiteor is: “I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the saints, and to you, Father, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore, I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the saints, and you, Father, to pray to the Lord our God for me.”

268. What is the purpose of the Confiteor?

The purpose of the Confiteor is to acknowledge our sins publicly or privately and to ask the saints and others to pray for our forgiveness.