This short prayer for generosity is traditionally attributed to St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), the founder of the Jesuits, and it captures the spirit of his Spiritual Exercises: wholehearted service of God without calculating the cost. It has been a favorite of students, soldiers, scouts, and volunteers for generations. Pray it when you are tired of giving, before a demanding day of work or service, or when discerning a vocation. It asks for the grace to give without cou

"Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44) is one of the most demanding commands of the Gospel. Jesus lived it on the Cross, and Christians have been praying for their enemies ever since, in private prayer and in the liturgy. This traditional collect asks God to give our enemies true peace and charity and to forgive their sins. It doesn't require us to feel warmly toward them; it simply puts them into God's hands and asks for their good. Pray it

Remember those in need with this traditional petition for charity. The Prayer O God, Who hast commanded us to love one another, open our hearts to the poor and needy. Grant that we may see Christ in them, and serve them with generosity and joy. Bless those who suffer want, and provide for them through our hands and the charity of Thy Church. Amen. Traditional prayer for the poor; classic manuals style, public domain.

The Act of Love, also called the Act of Charity, is one of the four traditional "acts" every Catholic once learned by heart, along with the Acts of Faith, Hope, and Contrition. It expresses the greatest commandment: to love God above all things, with our whole heart and soul, and to love our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. Because charity is the queen of the virtues, the saints recommended making this act often. Pray it each morning as part of your daily offering,