Prayer to Saint Thomas Aquinas Patron of Students

A Student’s Prayer to Saint Thomas Aquinas

This classic prayer invokes the Holy Spirit through St. Thomas Aquinas, asking for light, understanding, and grace in academic pursuits:

Come, Holy Spirit, Divine Creator,

true source of light and fountain of wisdom!

Pour forth your brilliance upon my intellect,

dissipate the darkness which covers me,

that of sin and of ignorance.

Grant me a penetrating mind to understand,

a retentive memory, method and ease in learning,

the lucidity to comprehend,

and abundant grace in expressing myself.

Guide the beginning of my work,

direct its progress,

and bring it to successful completion.

This I ask through Jesus Christ,

true God and true man,

living and reigning with You and the Father,

forever and ever. Amen.

St. Thomas Aquinas, a prominent figure in the 13th century, is revered as the patron saint of students and scholars due to his profound wisdom, humility, and dedication to learning. His life exemplified the pursuit of truth through both faith and reason, making him an enduring inspiration for those engaged in academic endeavors.

Students often invoke St. Thomas Aquinas through various prayers, particularly when seeking guidance, clarity, and success in their studies and examinations. One of the most widely recognized prayers attributed to him is "A Student's Prayer" or "Prayer Before Study"  While there are slight variations in wording across different sources, the core message remains consistent.

One common version of the prayer begins: "Come, Holy Spirit, Divine Creator, true source of light and fountain of wisdom! Pour forth your brilliance upon my dense intellect, dissipate the darkness which covers me, that of sin and of ignorance. Grant me a penetrating mind to understand, a retentive memory, method and ease in learning, the lucidity to comprehend, and abundant grace in expressing myself. Guide the beginning of my work, direct its progress, and bring it to successful completion. This I ask through Jesus Christ, true God and true man, living and reigning with You and the Father, forever and ever. Amen."

Another version, also widely cited, starts with: "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."

These prayers reflect St. Thomas Aquinas's understanding that true knowledge and wisdom ultimately come from God. They ask for divine assistance in intellectual pursuits, seeking a clear mind, a strong memory, and the ability to articulate thoughts effectively. Beyond academic success, the prayers also emphasize the importance of using knowledge for good, for the service of others, and for the glory of God.

Students also pray to St. Thomas Aquinas for specific needs such as focus, success in examinations, understanding difficult lessons, motivation, memory retention, humility, perseverance, guidance in career choices, discipline, intellectual clarity, courage, balance between study and rest, strong faith, gratitude, good friendships, joy in learning, strength in times of failure, and purity of intention. His feast day is January 28th, and novenas are often prayed in his honor for these intentions.

OTHER PRAYER: "Wonderful Theologian and Doctor of the Church, you learned more from the Crucifix than from books. Combining both sources, you left us the marvelous Summa of theology, broadcasting more glorious enlightenment to all. You always sought the true light and studied for God's honor and glory. Help us to study without ambition and pride in imitation of you. Amen."