Faith, Hope and Charity

The three little beads after the Our Father closest to the crucifix...my father used to introduce these prior to reciting them, "to increase faith, hope and charity."

I am adding these prayers as I say the novena, courtesy of Saint Benedict Center:

It helps me concentrate on the meaning of each gift.

Act of Faith

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.

I pause here. I honestly cannot say that I believe all truths which the Catholic Church teaches, for that is why I left the church. So, I will ponder the meaning of the prayer and continue to delve inside to figure out where I belong in relation to the Church. Meanwhile, I believe the more comprehensive statement that there exists a Trinity, that Jesus died for our sins and that the living and the dead are judged.

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, my Lord and Redeemer.

Act of Charity

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.

If we can all move into each day acting with faith, hope and charity, we are armed to move mountains, to transmute the negative in the world to Pure Love, which is the epitome of the Holy Spirit.

Transmutation