PRAYER OF SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS BEFORE STUDY

 O INFINITE Creator, Who in the riches of Thy wisdom didst appoint three hierarchies of Angels and didst set them in wondrous order over the highest heavens, and Who didst apportion the elements of the world most wisely: do Thou, Who art in truth the fountain of light and wisdom, deign to shed upon the darkness of my understanding the rays of Thine infinite brightness, and remove far from me the twofold darkness in which I was born, namely, sin and ignorance. Do Thou, Who givest speech to the tongues of little children, instruct my tongue and pour into my lips the grace of Thy benediction. Give me keenness of apprehension, capacity for remembering, method and ease in learning, insight in interpretation, and copious eloquence in speech. Instruct my beginning, direct my progress, and set Thy seal upon the finished work, Thou, Who art true God and true Man, Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

O Mary, Mother of fair love, of fear, of knowledge, and of holy hope, by whose loving care and intercession many otherwise poor in intellect have wonderfully advanced in knowledge and holiness, I choose you as the guide and patroness of my studies; and I humbly implore, through the deep tenderness of your maternal love, and especially through the eternal Wisdom Who deigned to take our flesh from you and Who gifted you beyond all the saints with heavenly light, that you would obtain for me, by your intercession, the grace of the Holy Spirit that I may be able to grasp with strong intellect, retain in memory, proclaim by word and deed, and teach others all things which bring honor to you and to your Son, and which for me and for others are salutary for eternal life. Amen.