Prayer (§353)

O GLORIOUS St Peter, lily of purity, example of Christian perfection, model of priestly zeal; by that glory which as a reward of thy merits has been bestowed on thee in heaven, look upon us kindly, and come to our assistance before the throne of the Most High. On earth thou didst make this maxim specially thy own, having it ever on thy lips, "Injure no one, give joy to all," and, armed with this, didst spend thy whole life in succouring the wretched, counselling the doubtful, comforting the afflicted, bringing back the strayed to the path of virtue, restoring to JESUS CHRIST souls redeemed by his Precious Blood. Now that thou art so powerful in heaven, continue thy labour of helping all, and be to us a watchful protector, so that, freed by thy intercession from temporal evils, and confirmed in faith and charity, we may overcome the snares of the enemies of our salvation, and be able one day with thee to praise and bless our LORD in Paradise for ever. Amen.

✠

ST THOMAS AQUINAS 354. Prayer to St Thomas, Patron of Schools. 200 Days, once a day. (See Instructions.)

ANGELIC Doctor St. Thomas, prince of theologians and model of philosophers, bright ornament of the Christian world and light of the Church; O heavenly patron of all Catholic schools, who didst learn wisdom without guile and dost communicate it without envy, intercede for us with the SON of GOD, Wisdom itself, that the spirit of wisdom may descend upon us, and enable us to understand clearly that which thou hast taught, and fulfil it by imitating thy deeds; to become

eluxisti, participes efficiamur; ac tandem earum suavissimis fructibus perenniter tecum delectemur in cœlis, Divinam Sapientiam collaudantes per infinita sæcula sæculorum. Amen.

partakers of that doctrine & virtue which caused thee to shine like the sun on earth; and at last to rejoice with thee for ever in their most sweet fruits in Heaven together praising the Divine Wisdom for all eternity. Amen.