Saint Talk: Back to School

Most school districts and colleges across the United States, school started last week or in the coming week. My students reported to class last week. I started my own studies earlier in the month. Quite frankly I have found it difficult to balance the reading and writing requirements with my duties at work. Yesterday, while attempting to study at our local library, I had an epiphany - why not try praying before you study? I remembered a prayer book my mother gave me years ago when I went off for college. In it, was a wonderful prayer by Saint Thomas Aquinas (Church Doctor and genius) for studying. I have included the text below.

Prayer Before Study

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. 

Saint Thomas Aquinas