After Study (Grates tibi ago)
Prayer composed by St Thomas Aquinas to be recited after study. The Angelic Doctor gives thanks for the light received, asks for perseverance in the truth, and that the knowledge acquired may serve the glory of God and the salvation of souls, never vainglory.
I give thee thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, who hast vouchsafed to enlighten me, a sinner and an unworthy creature, and to hear the prayers of my humble petition. Receive these my small services, by thy mercy alone. Supply my defects and pardon my faults. Through the merits of Christ our Lord, grant me a happy end, free from mortal sin, and the eternal repose of glory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
In Latin
Grates tibi ago, Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, æterne Deus, qui me peccatorem, indignum famulum tuum, nullis meis meritis, sed sola dignatione misericordiæ tuæ satiare dignatus es pretioso Corpore et Sanguine Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi.
Et precor, ut hæc sancta communio non sit mihi reatus ad pœnam, sed intercessio salutaris ad veniam. Sit mihi armatura fidei, et scutum bonæ voluntatis. Sit vitiorum meorum evacuatio, concupiscentiæ et libidinis exterminatio, caritatis et patientiæ, humilitatis et obedientiæ, omniumque virtutum augmentatio: contra insidias inimicorum omnium, tam visibilium quam invisibilium, firma defensio: motuum meorum, tam carnalium quam spiritualium, perfecta quietatio: in te uno ac vero Deo firma adhæsio, atque finis mei felix consummatio. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.