sin7i2018 ‘Thomas Aquinas’ prayer before working |The Chistian Scholar (https://thechristianscholar files. wordpress.com/2014/05/aquinas.jpg)I recently came across the following prayer of Thomas Aquinas on the Intervarsity site (http://cms.intervarsity.org/slj/article/2442). The “Dumb Ox" is said to have recited it before he began working or preaching. The Intervarsity site expurgated lines 2-7 as the prayer is printed here, perhaps because of a possible confusion over angelic hierarchies. I have re-inserted them because they remind us of God’s immensity as we sit down to what, by comparison with His universe-creating work, are our infinitesimally small tasks. Iitpsithechistianscholar wordpress.cony2014105/27thomas-aquinas-prayer-before-working! 48anao18 ‘Thomas Aquinas’ prayer before working |The Chistian Scholar Ineffable Creator Who, from the treasures of Your wisdom, have established three hierarchies of angels, have arrayed them in marvellous order above the fiery heavens, and have marshalled 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. St. Thomas Aquinas Published in the Raccolta #764, Pius XI Studiorum Ducem, 1923. The prayer can also be found, in part, in an alternative and much freer translation here (httpy/www.pathcos.com/blogs/blackwhiteandgray/2011/10/st- thomas-aquinas-prayer-for-scholars/): Iitpsithechistianscholar wordpress.cony2014105/27thomas-aquinas-prayer-before-working! 25anao18 ‘Thomas Aquinas’ prayer before working |The Chistian Scholar 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 ADVERTISEMENT Iitpsithechistianscholar wordpress.cony2014105/27thomas-aquinas-prayer-before-working! 35sin7i2018 Aquinas’ prayer before working | The Christian Scholar faverisemenis DB | Report this ad Report this ad prayers and prayer life ACADEMIA, AQUINAS PIUS XI STUDIORUM DUCEM | PRAYER , THOMAS AQUINAS One thought on “Thomas Aquinas’ prayer before working” 1, Lom Zampino JULY 23,2015 AT 12:16 PM Thave copied this prayer and credited you at my blog, Grace Pending. Thank you for this!! ittp.//www.patheos.com/blogs/tomzampino/2015/07/as-we- start-the-new-day-an-aquinas-contemplation/ REPLY Iitpsithechistianscholar wordpress.cony2014105/27thomas-aquinas-prayer-before-working! 45sin7i2018 ‘Thomas Aquinas’ prayer before working |The Chvitian Scholar BLOG AT WORDPRESS.COM, Iitpsithechistianscholar wordpress.cony2014105/27thomas-aquinas-prayer-before-working! 515