28 January 2014

Aquinas' prayer before study

When I was a seminarian I took a class on the canonical preparation for marriage taught by His Excellency the Most Reverend Joseph N. Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago.  He began each class with a simple prayer of Saint Thomas Aquinas, whom the Church celebrates today.

Here in Rome we're currently in between semesters and in the exam period.  Some of the priests in the Casa are a bit frantic at the moment, but since I have just one exam this period - and not until February 6th - I am not one of them (I understand I'll pay for this come the end of the second semester).

At any rate, for those following the European schedule - or others - who might profit from the Dumb Ox's prayer, here it is:
Creator of all things, source of light and wisdom, origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your light penetrate the darkness of my understanding.

Take from the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of sin and ignorance.

Give me a keen understanding, a retentive memory, and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally.
Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your light penetrate the darkness of my understanding.

Take from me the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of sin and ignorance.

Give me a keen 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 the completion.  I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.
- See more at: http://washingtonsquarecatholic.org/index.cfm?load=page&page=239#sthash.gLomeFjE.dpuf

Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your light penetrate the darkness of my understanding.

Take from me the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of sin and ignorance.

Give me a keen 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 the completion.  I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.
- See more at: http://washingtonsquarecatholic.org/index.cfm?load=page&page=239#sthash.gLomeFjE.dpuf
Give me 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 the completion.  Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your light penetrate the darkness of my understanding.

Take from me the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of sin and ignorance.

Give me a keen 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 the completion.  I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.
- See more at: http://washingtonsquarecatholic.org/index.cfm?load=page&page=239#sthash.gLomeFjE.dpuf
Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your light penetrate the darkness of my understanding.

Take from me the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of sin and ignorance.

Give me a keen 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 the completion.  I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.
- See more at: http://washingtonsquarecatholic.org/index.cfm?load=page&page=239#sthash.gLomeFjE.dpuf
Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your light penetrate the darkness of my understanding.

Take from me the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of sin and ignorance.

Give me a keen 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 the completion.  I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.
- See more at: http://washingtonsquarecatholic.org/index.cfm?load=page&page=239#sthash.gLomeFjE.dpuf
Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your light penetrate the darkness of my understanding.

Take from me the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of sin and ignorance.

Give me a keen 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 the completion.  I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.
- See more at: http://washingtonsquarecatholic.org/index.cfm?load=page&page=239#sthash.gLomeFjE.dpuf
Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your light penetrate the darkness of my understanding.

Take from me the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of sin and ignorance.

Give me a keen 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 the completion.  I ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.
- See more at: http://washingtonsquarecatholic.org/index.cfm?load=page&page=239#sthash.gLomeFjE.dpuf

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