Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) Before Study
O INFINITE Creator, who in the riches of your wisdom appointed three hierarchies of Angels and set them in wondrous order over the highest heavens, and who apportioned the elements of the world most wisely: you, who are in truth the fountain of light and wisdom, deign to shed upon the darkness of my understanding the rays of your infinite brightness, and remove far from me the twofold darkness in which I was born, namely, sin and ignorance. You, who give speech to the tongues of little children, instruct my tongue and pour into my lips the grace of your blessing. 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 your seal upon the finished work, you, who are true God and true Man, who live and reign world without end. Amen.
