PRAYER TO MARY FOR SUCCESS IN STUDY
by St. Thomas Aquinas
O Mary, Mother of fair love, of fear of God, of knowledge, and of holy hope, by whose loving care and intercession many, otherwise poor in intellect, have wonderfully advanced in knowledge and in holiness, I choose you as the guide and patroness of my studies. I humbly implore, through the deep tenderness of your maternal love, and especially through that eternal Wisdom who deigned to take from you our flesh and who gifted you beyond all the saints with heavenly light, obtain for me the grace of the Holy Spirit that I may be able to grasp with strong intellect, retain in memory, proclaim by word and deed, and teach others all things which bring honor to you and to your Son, which for me and for them are salutary for eternal life. Amen.
PRAYER BEFORE EXAMINATIONS
My Jesus, You listened so attentively to the doctors in the temple, humbly asked them questions, and aroused their admiration by Your prudent answers, grant me the light to seek out and remember the important material of the subjects I am studying for Your great honor and glory.
The success of my examination means so much for the realization of my goal, my vocation, which is so dear to Your heart. If I have been lacking in zeal and conscientiousness in my studies, may the results of my examination be my punishment. If you think I am worthy of the success I desire, I promise to accept it humbly, realizing that I am unworthy of Your special favor.
Grant success, dear Jesus, also to my fellow students that we may give glory to God by the faithful use of our talents. Grant finally, that the efforts of our teachers be not in vain. Amen.
(Source: Pray in the Spirit: A Prayerbook by the Arnold Janssen Secretariat)
