An Office of Study
Prayerful preparation for academic work.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me bless God’s holy name.
Lord, open our lips to praise your holy name.
Cleanse our hearts from all vain, evil, and wandering thoughts.
Illuminate our understandings and inflame our affections,
that we may worthily, attentively, and devoutly offer this prayer,
and be heard in the presence of your divine Majesty. Amen
Psalm
1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
O my God, in you I trust:
let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies triumph over me.
2 Let none who look to you be put to shame:
but let the treacherous be shamed and frustrated.
3 Make me to know your ways, O Lord:
and teach me your paths.
4 Lead me in your truth and teach me:
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you have I hoped all the day long.
5 Remember, Lord, your compassion and love:
for they are from everlasting.
[Psalm 25:1–5]
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
Short Reading
One of the following, or another suitable reading for reflection:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
[Proverbs 1:7]
or
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit,
but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.
Let each of you look not to your own interests,
but to the interests of others.
[Philippians 2:3–4]
V: Teach me goodness and discernment and knowledge.
R: I trust in your commands.
or
V: The unfolding of your word gives light.
R: It gives understanding to the simple.
Let us pray
Creator of all things,
true source of light and wisdom, origin of all being,
graciously let a ray of your light penetrate
the darkness of my understanding.
Take from me the double darkness in which I have been born,
an obscurity of sin and ignorance.
Give me a keen 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 the completion.
I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
[A Student’s Prayer, Thomas Aquinas]
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.