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.
-- St. Thomas Aquinas
true source of Light and Wisdom,
lofty source 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,
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, help in the completion.
Through Christ, our Lord.
Christ, as a shield, o'ershadow and cover me!
Christ, be under me!
Christ, be over me!
Christ, be beside me, on left hand and right!
Christ, this day be within and without me!
Christ, the lowly and meek,
Christ, the all powerful,
be in the heart of each to whom I speak, in the mouth of each who speaks to me,
in all who draw near to me, or see me, or hear me!
-- this is a piece of the Lorica, a much longer prayer
to accept for love of you the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we may one day be united in Heaven for all eternity.
Act in me, Holy Spirit, that my work too may be holy.
Draw my heart, Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy.
Strengthen me Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.
Begone, ye enemy powers!
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered! Alleluia!
nothing afright thee
all things are passing,
God never changes!
Patient endurance
attaineth to all things
who God possesth
in nothing is wanting
alone God sufficeth.
take from me everything
that keeps me from reaching you.
My Lord and my God,
give me everything
that will bring me close to you.
My Lord and my God,
take me away from myself
and give me to you.
