St. Thomas Aquinas - Virtues

To Acquire the Virtues (St Thomas of Aquinas)

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 I 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 I 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 I have, I may share generously with those who have not

and that whatever good things I do not have, I may request humbly from those who do.

Grant that I may judge rightly the evil of the wrongs I have done and bear calmly the

punishments I have brought upon myself, and that I may never envy my neighbor’s

possessions and ever give thanks for Your good things.

Grant that I may always observe modesty in the way I dress, the way I walk, and the

gestures I use, restrain my tongue form frivolous talk, prevent my feet from leading me

astray, keep my eyes from wandering glances, shelter my ears from rumors, lower my

gaze in humility, lift my mind to thoughts of heaven, contemn all that will pass away, and

love You only.

Grant that I may subdue my flesh and cleanse my 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 me, Lord, all virtues, that I might be devout in divine matters, discerning in

human affairs, and burdensome to no one in fulfilling my own bodily needs.

Grant to me, Lord, fervent contrition, pure confession, and complete reparation.

Order me inwardly through a good life, that I might do what is right and what will be

meritorious for me and a good example of others.

Grant that I may never crave to do things impulsively, nor disdain to do what is

burdensome, lest I begin things before I should or abandon them before finishing. Amen