St. Thomas Aquinas' Prayer to Acquire the Virtues

For numerous reasons I thought that now might be an appropriate time to post this beautiful and timeless prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas (1225?-1274 A.D.) for the acquisition of the virtues. For those who regularly visit or contribute to our blog, I would encourage you to join me in committing to pray this prayer along with St. Thomas daily through the end of June. And, just so that no one misses it, be sure to click on "Read More" for the whole thing. Peace to you all and may we, like St. Thomas, learn what it means to be more fully conformed to the image of Christ through lives virtuously lived.

A Prayer to Acquire the Virtues

“O God, all-powerful and all-knowing, without beginning and without end, You Who are the source, the sustainer, and the rewarder of all virtues,

Grant that [we] may abide on the firm ground of faith, be sheltered by an impregnable shield of hope, and be adorned in the bridal garment of charity.

Grant that [we] may through justice be subject to You, through prudence avoid the beguilements of the devil, through temperance exercise restraint, and through fortitude endure adversity with patience.

Grant that whatever good things [we] have, [we] may share generously with those who have not and that whatever good things [we] do not have, [we] may request humbly from those who do.

Grant that [we] may judge rightly the evil of the wrongs [we] have done and bear calmly the punishments [we] have brought upon [ourselves], and that [we] may never envy [our] neighbor’s possessions and ever give thanks for Your good things.

Grant that [we] may always observe modesty in the way [we] dress, the way [we] walk, and the gestures [we] use, restrain [our] tongue[s] from frivolous talk, prevent [our] feet from leading [us] astray, keep [our] eyes from wandering glances, shelter [our] ears from rumors, lower [our] gaze in humility, lift [our] mind[s] to thoughts of heaven, contemn all that will pass away, and love You only.

Grant that [we] may subdue [our] flesh and cleanse [our] conscience, honor the saints and praise You worthily, advance in goodness, and end a life of good works with a holy death.

Plant deep in [us], Lord, all the virtues, that [we] might be devout in divine matters, discerning in human affairs, and burdensome to no one in fulfilling [our] own bodily needs.

Grant to [us], Lord, fervent contrition, pure confession, and complete reparation.

Order [us] inwardly through a good life, that [we] might do what is right and what will be meritorious for [us] and a good example for others.

Grant that [we] may never crave to do things impulsively, nor disdain to do what is burdensome, lest [we] begin things before [we] should or abandon them before finishing.”

Amen.

Aquinas, Thomas. The Aquinas Prayer Book: The Prayers and Hymns of St. Thomas Aquinas. ed. Robert Anderson and Johann Moser. (Manchester: Sophia Institute Press, 2000), 33-40.