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Act of Hope
Actus Spei
The traditional Act of Hope — trusting God's mercy for pardon, grace, and eternal life, through the merits of Jesus Christ.
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. Amen.
History
The second of the three traditional Acts of Virtue, prayed for centuries as part of morning and evening devotion. Hope, the Church teaches, is not optimism about circumstances but confidence in a Person — this prayer names exactly what is hoped for, and exactly why.
When to Pray
In discouragement, at the start of anything uncertain, and alongside the Acts of Faith and Charity as a daily trio.