Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Exam Prayers

Did you know that there is a patron saint of test takers and poor students?  St. Joseph of Cupertino is perhaps better known as the Franciscan friar who would levitate as he prayed (seriously).  But when he first approached the order for admission he was turned away because of his lack of education.  He persevered and was eventually not only accepted into the order but also ordained a priest.   It is said that when he was being examined for admission into the order, he miraculously was only asked questions he knew the answers to!

Below is a prayer for the intercession of St. Joseph of Cupertino for success in examinations.

O Great St. Joseph of Cupertino who while on earth did obtain from God the grace to be asked at your examination only the questions you knew, obtain for me a like favour in the examinations for which I am now preparing. In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.
Through Christ our Lord.
St. Joseph of Cupertino, Pray for us.
Amen.

St. Thomas Aquinas is also a well known patron saint of students.  Here is a student's prayer composted by this saint, known as the "Angelic Doctor."

Come, Holy Spirit, Divine Creator, true source of light and fountain of wisdom! Pour forth your brilliance upon my dense intellect, dissipate the darkness which covers me, that of sin and of ignorance. Grant me a penetrating mind to understand, a retentive memory, method and ease in learning, the lucidity to comprehend, and abundant grace in expressing myself. Guide the beginning of my work, direct its progress, and bring it to successful completion. This I ask through Jesus Christ, true God and true man, living and reigning with You and the Father, forever and ever.
Amen.

Our prayer for you this week is not only for success on your exams, but for relief from stress and anxiety, for safe travels home, and for a blessed summer.  Especially for our graduates, we pray for success in life, and that you may be open to the will of God in your new adventures.

God bless!
Matt

--
WCU Catholic Campus Ministry
Matthew Newsome, MTh, campus minister
  
(828)293-9374  |   POB 2766, Cullowhee NC 28723

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