Becoming Virtuous:
St. Thomas Aquinas's Prayer to Obtain Virtues
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O God, all
powerful, Who knowest all things, Who hadst neither beginning nor end,
Who dost give, preserve, and reward all virtues; deign to make me
steadfast on the solid foundation of faith, to protect me with the
impregnable shield of hope, and to adorn me with the wedding garment of
charity.
Give me justice, to submit to Thee; prudence, to avoid the snares of
the enemy; temperance, to keep the just medium; fortitude, to bear
adversities with patience.
Grant me to impart willingly to others whatever I possess that is good,
and to ask humbly of others that I may partake of the good of which I
am destitute; to confess truly my faults; to bear with equanimity the
pains and evils which I suffer. Grant that I may never envy the good of
my neighbor, and that I may always return thanks for Thy graces.
Let me always observe discipline in my clothing, movements, and
gestures. Let my tongue be restrained from my vain words, my feet from
going astray, my eyes from seeking after vain objects, my ears from
listening to much news. May I humble incline my countenance, and raise
my spirit to Heaven.
Grant me to despise all transitory things, and to desire Thee alone; to
subdue my flesh and purify my conscience; to honor Thy Saints and to
praise Thee worthily; to advance in virtue, and to end good actions by
a happy death.
Plant in me, O Lord, all virtues, that I may be devoted to divine
things, provident in human affairs, and troublesome to no one in bodily
cares.
Grant me, O Lord, fervor in contrition, sincerity in confession, and
completeness in satisfaction.
Deign to direct my soul to a good life, that what I may do be pleasing
to Thee, meritorious for myself, and edifying to my neighbor.
Grant that I may never desire to do what is foolish, and that I may
never be discouraged by what is distasteful; that I may never begin my
works before the proper time, nor abandon them before they are
completed.
Grant me, O merciful God, that what is pleasing to Thee, I may ardently
examine, truthfully acknowledge, and perfectly accomplish for the
praise and glory of Thy Name. Regulate my whole life, O God, and let me
know Thy will that I may fulfill it; give me the grace to do that which
is necessary and profitable for my soul.
Grant, O Lord my God, that I may not fall into prosperity or in
adversity, avoiding pride in the former and discouragement in the
latter. May I rejoice in nothing but what leads to Thee, grieve for
nothing but what turns away from Thee. May I wish to please no one but
Thee.
May I despise, O Lord, all transitory things and prize only that which
is eternal. May I shun any joy that is not in Thee; may I wish for
nothing outside of Thee. May I delight in any work undertaken for Thee
and tire of any repose which is without Thee. Grant me, O my God, to
direct my heart toward Thee, constantly to grieve for my sins, and to
amend my life.
Make me, O Lord, my God, obedient without contradiction, poor without
depression, chaste without corruption, patient without murmuring,
humble without pretense, cheerful without dissipation, sorrowful
without despair, serious without constraint, prompt without levity,
God-fearing without presumption, correcting my neighbor without
haughtiness, and edifying him by word and example without hypocrisy.
Give me, O Lord God, a watchful heart, which no curious thought will
turn away from Thee; a noble heart, which no unworthy affection will
drag down; a righteous heart, which no irregular intention will turn
aside; a firm heart, which no tribulation will crush; a free heart,
which no violent affection will claim for its own.
Grant me, finally, O Lord my God, intelligence in knowing Thee,
diligence in seeking Thee, wisdom in finding Thee, perseverance in
trusting Thee, and the confidence of finally embracing Thee. Let me
accept Thy punishments as a penance for my sins, and enjoy Thy benefits
by grace in this world, and Thy blessedness by glory in the next. Who
livest and reigntest true God, forever and ever. Amen.
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