A Prayer before Study

Thomas Aquinas frequently recited this before he dictated, wrote, or preached.


Ineffable Creator,
Who, from the treasures of your wisdom,
has established three hierarchies of angels,
has arrayed them in marvelous order above the fiery heaven,
and has marshaled the regions of the universe with such artful skill,

You are proclaimed the true font of light and wisdom,
and the primal origin
raised beyond all high things.

Pour forth a ray of your brightness
into the darkened places of my mind;
disperse from my soul the twofold darkness into which I was born: sin and ignorance.

You make eloquent the tongues of infants.
Refine my speech
and pour forth upon my lips
the goodness of your blessing.

Grant to me
keenness of mind,
capacity to remember,
skill in learning,
subtlety to interpret,
and eloquence in speech.

May you
guide the beginning of my work,
direct its progress,
and bring it to completion.

You who are true God and true Man,
Who live and reign, world without end. Amen.

from Devoutly I Adore Thee. The Prayers and Hymns of St. Thomas Aquinas