St. Thomas Aquinas
Creator of all things,
true Source of light and wisdom,
lofty Origin of all being,
graciously let a ray of Your brilliance
penetrate into the darkness of my understanding
and take from me the double darkness
in which I have been born,
an obscurity of both sin and ignorance.
Give me a sharp sense of understanding,
a retentive memory,
and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally.
Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations,
and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm.
Point out the beginning,
direct the progress,
and help in completion.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The prayer above is a modern rendering. This is the traditional English translation of St. Thomas’ Student’s Prayer (also called the Prayer before Study), as published with Pope Pius XI’s 1923 encyclical Studiorum Ducem.
Ineffable Creator, who out of the treasures of Thy wisdom hast appointed three hierarchies of Angels and set them in admirable order high above the heavens, and hast disposed the divers portions of the universe in such marvelous array, Thou who art called the true Source of Light and super-eminent Principle of Wisdom, be pleased to cast a beam of Thy radiance upon the darkness of my mind and dispel from me the double darkness of sin and ignorance in which I have been born.
Thou who makest eloquent the tongues of little children, fashion my words and pour upon my lips the grace of Thy benediction. Grant me penetration to understand, capacity to retain, method and facility in study, subtlety in interpretation, and abundant grace of expression.
Order the beginning, direct the progress, and perfect the achievement of my work, Thou who art true God and Man and livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.
Pray it before studying, writing, teaching, or taking an examination, then name the task before you and ask for honesty, patience, and good use of time. Students can keep a copy with their books or pray it with classmates at the start of a study session.
Study–lectures and books and notes and the whole works–is challenging for everyone at times, even the most brilliant among us. Whether we’re in grade school, high school, or college, the day-in and day-out mental challenges can wear us down and frustrate us.
Study helps us develop our gifts and talents to use for the glory of Almighty God and the good of others. Through study we learn more about God and his creation, and this can lead us to prayers of thanksgiving for God’s wonders.
Sometimes we experience anxiety as we prepare for tests. Besides the Prayer before Study below, we can also pray a prayer to the Holy Spirit for assistance, as well as a prayer for peace of heart.
This student’s prayer was written by St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274). St. Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican friar, was one of the greatest minds the Church has ever known. His best-known work is the Summa Theologica, which can be called an encyclopedia of Catholic theology.
St. Thomas’ feast day is January 28. Understandably, he is the patron of universities and students. St. Thomas Aquinas, pray for us!
Quotes of and about St. Thomas Aquinas
“Love takes up where knowledge leaves off.”
“Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you. Amen.”
“Along with our predecessors we are equally persuaded that the only philosophy worth our efforts is that which is according to Christ. Therefore the study of philosophy according to the principles and system of Aquinas must certainly be encouraged so that the explanation and invincible defense of divinely revealed truth may be as full as human reason can make of it” (Pope Benedict XV).
[T]he Magisterium has repeatedly acclaimed the merits of Saint Thomas’ thought and made him the guide and model for theological studies.… The Magisterium’s intention has always been to show how Saint Thomas is an authentic model for all who seek the truth. In his thinking, the demands of reason and the power of faith found the most elevated synthesis ever attained by human thought, for he could defend the radical newness introduced by Revelation without ever demeaning the venture proper to reason” (St. John Paul II).
Before your time of study, pray this prayer by Saint Thomas Aquinas and ask the Lord for help in your studies! (This prayer is also for those who teach.) Be sure to ask the intercession of St. Thomas as well!
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