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.
Amen.
CATHOLIC TRADITIONAL; CURRENT ENGLISH FORM 17TH-18TH CENTURY AD
The Act of Love
Also known as Act of Charity ยท O My God, I Love Thee Above All Things
About this prayer
The Act of Love, also called the Act of Charity, is one of the four traditional Catholic acts of virtue. It expresses love of God for his own sake, above all other things, and love of neighbor for God's sake. Catholic theology regards charity as the greatest of the three theological virtues, the one that gives life and form to the others. The prayer draws on Christ's summary of the law in Matthew 22:37-39, where love of God and love of neighbor are named as the two great commandments. The Act of Love is traditionally said alongside the Acts of Faith, Hope, and Contrition as part of morning devotion and examination of conscience.
When it's said
The Act of Love is said as part of the morning offering, before or after Mass, and as a devotional prayer at any time. It is traditionally said together with the Acts of Faith, Hope, and Contrition. It is recommended before receiving Communion as an expression of the disposition needed to receive the Eucharist worthily.
Notes on the text
The phrase 'all good and worthy of all love' reflects the Catholic understanding that God is the supreme good, the source of all goodness, and therefore the only being who deserves to be loved absolutely and unconditionally. Love of neighbor is placed within this framework: neighbors are loved for God's sake, meaning out of obedience to God's command and in recognition of their dignity as made in God's image.
Source
Traditional Catholic prayer, 17th-18th century English form. Text from F.X. Lasance, The Blessed Sacrament Book, 1913. Public domain.
Last reviewed: May 2026 against primary source.