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Ante Studium
A Prayer before Study

by St. Thomas Aquinas

When our lives become more hectic and intense with the pressure of papers and exams the need for prayer seems more obvious even if it is harder to come by. I commend this one to you — it has survived the test of time. You may wish to offer this prayer each time you sit to study. — Jeff Barneson

Ineffable Creator,
  Who, from the treasures of Your wisdom,
    has established three hierarchies of angels,
    has arrayed them in marvelous order
      above the fiery heavens,
    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 high beyond all 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

Published in the Raccolta #764, Pius XI Studiorum Ducem, 1923.