Prayers for the Promotion of Studies
I LORD JESUS CHRIST, the Way, the Truth and the Life, Thou who so lovest souls, and who, not content with giving us an example, hast made such magnificent promises to those who shall teach the truth; fill with thy spirit of wisdom, knowledge, and fear, all those who teach; fill with thy grace those who are taught, so that, instructed in a profitable and useful manner, their minds may receive the truth, their hearts cling to what is right, and their lives be full of good works; and may thy holy Name be glorified in everything. O JESUS, teacher, who, moved to compassion for thy children, like sheep without a shepherd, didst say to thy disciples, Pray to the Lord of the harvest that He send labourers; deign, we beseech Thee, to multiply worthy instructors of youth; sanctify them in truth, and increase in them faith, hope and charity. O good JESUS, who hast said, Suffer little children to come unto Me, let not one of these little ones, purchased with thy Precious Blood, perish; remove them from all scandal of impiety, of vice, and error; we ask this from Thee in the name of thy holy Passion, of the sorrows of thy holy Mother, and by the intercession of the angels and saints. Amen.
II PRAYER TO ST CATHARINE OF ALEXANDRIA, PATRONESS OF STUDIES. O GLORIOUS Virgin and Martyr, St Catharine, who by thy admirable learning, thy zeal for the Faith, and by thy glorious martyrdom didst gain so many souls for JESUS CHRIST; thou whose patronage has been so often claimed by the most learned, we choose thee for the patroness and protector of our studies and our teaching. Obtain for us who are thy clients a generous love for JESUS CHRIST our SAVIOUR, an ardent zeal to make Him known and loved, an inviolable fidelity to the Catholic Faith and to the teaching of Holy Church. May our LORD deign, through thy intercession, to grant to all who teach, the plenitude of the gifts of the HOLY SPIRIT. May they join to true knowledge sure and effective methods, purity of faith, integrity of life, and a humble distrust of themselves. Beg of JESUS, thy Spouse, that He take pity on all those who are taught; that He preserve them from impious or indifferent masters, and perverse or erroneous doctrines; that He give them an upright character, and docile heart, and the grace to make progress in their studies according to the designs of his sovereign wisdom.
And lastly, O glorious Saint, beg the FATHER of lights for such an outpouring of grace on the instruction of youth that, after having studied, loved and practised the divine law, all masters and disciples may together come to the holy Mount, which is JESUS CHRIST. Amen.
III ANOTHER PRAYER TO ST CATHARINE. O GLORIOUS St Catharine, wise and prudent virgin, who didst place the knowledge of JESUS CHRIST above all knowledge, obtain for us the grace to live inviolably attached to the Catholic Faith, and to seek in our studies and teaching but one thing, to extend in ourselves and in others the kingdom of JESUS CHRIST our SAVIOUR, and of his holy Church. Amen.