Sunday, April 15, 2007

Scholar's Prayer


This is a prayer for scholars by Thomas Aquinas. It was translated and given to me by Davy Carozza, father of my brother-in-law Paolo. I prayed it most days during graduate school, and, in looking it over, I think that it's time that I start again.





Ineffable Creator,

You who are the true source of life and wisdom and the Principle on which everything depends, be so kind as to infuse in my obscure intelligence a ray of your splendor that may take away the darkness of sin and ignorance.

Grant me keenness of understanding, ability to remember, measure and easiness of learning, discernment of what I read, rich grace with words.

Grant me strength to begin well my studies; guide me along the path of my efforts; give them a happy ending.

You who are true God and true Man, Jesus my Savior, who lives and reigns forever.

Amen

Thomas Aquinas (published in the Raccolta #764, Pius XI Studiorum Ducem, 1923).

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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is terrific. So much so, that I had to repost it on my blog in hope that I can expose more people to it!

jergarber said...

Bradley:

thanks for this. I'm a first-year Ph.D. student in theology and philosophy and remembered learning about this prayer in seminary. I'm taking my first comprehensive exam tomorrow and wanted this prayer for the hour before - thanks for posting it on your blog!

Thanks, Jeremy

Abu Daoud said...

I had to post it on my blog too. Shukran!