Prayer to the Holy Spirit in the tradition of St Thomas Aquinas

St Thomas Aquinas († 1274), the Angelic Doctor, expounds the doctrine on the Holy Spirit in the Summa Theologiae Ia q. 36-43 (procession and mission of the Spirit), Ia-IIae q. 68 (gifts), and IIa-IIae q. 8 and q. 45 (gift of understanding and gift of wisdom). For Thomas, the Holy Spirit proceeds as subsistent Love and is the principal agent of our sanctification — through his gifts and through the infused virtues. Prayer to the Holy Spirit is the daily bread of the theologian, of the student, and of the believer: it was St Thomas himself who repeatedly asked the light of the Paraclete before writing each question of the Summa. The Orationes ad Sapientiam (prayers for wisdom) of St Thomas — among which «Creator ineffabilis» before study (already in Occasional) — are witness to this intense pneumatological life.

O Holy Spirit, who proceed from the Father and from the Son as subsistent Love, and communicate yourself to the rational creature as the principle of his sanctification: send upon my soul your seven gifts as you sent them upon Mary in the Cenacle and upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost.

Perfect by your wisdom the faith I received in Baptism; by your understanding, the hope which gives meaning to the journey; by your knowledge, the charity which becomes act in the concrete neighbour. Make me at the same time prudent by your counsel, just by your piety, strong by your fortitude, and tempered by holy fear which reminds me of your presence.

O Spirit of Truth, who led the Apostles into all truth (cf. Jn 16:13), lead me also in the truth of the Catholic faith, without suspicion of the Magisterium and without pride in my small intelligence. May every new doctrine I encounter be measured by the rock of Peter; and every spiritual novelty be examined by the discernment of the pastors which the Lord has given me.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.