The Act of Hope
O my God, relying on Thy almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer. Amen.
Traditional version from the Baltimore Catechism.
Pray the Act of Hope every day with a reminder.
Start praying with Rosary & MercyKey takeaways
- Hope is trust that God will give us eternal life and the grace to reach it.
- It is the second of the three theological virtues.
- It is different from optimism; it rests on God's promises, not on circumstances.
What is the Act of Hope?
The Act of Hope is a short prayer of confident trust in God. The Catechism describes hope as "the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness" (CCC 1817). The prayer lists what we hope for: pardon, grace and eternal life.
When to pray it
Catholics pray it with the Acts of Faith and Love, at morning or evening prayer, or in times of discouragement and fear.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between hope and wishful thinking?
Wishful thinking is a guess. Hope rests on God's promises and on Christ's resurrection (CCC 1817-1818).
Is despair a sin?
Yes, it is a sin against hope: giving up on God's salvation or mercy (CCC 2091).
Is presumption the opposite of hope?
Presumption is the other sin against hope, either trusting in one's own strength or expecting forgiveness without conversion (CCC 2092).
Related prayers
Pray through what you are reading, every day, with a gentle reminder.
Start praying with Rosary & MercySources: Catechism of the Catholic Church 1817-1821, 2090-2092 · Romans 5:5 · Baltimore Catechism