If you want to grow in holiness you must do two things, work at it, and ask for it.
Begin by praying for virtues with this beautiful and humble prayer by a Catholic Saint, Thomas Aquinas, who is both a Doctor of the Church and Angelic Doctor of the Church. “A Prayer to Acquire the Virtues” asks God for the grace to love God above all things and to live a good life through an increase in the virtues.
Prayer for Virtues
Grow in Holiness with the Help of God
On our own we can never hope to change ourselves, but it is through the grace of God that we are able to grow in holiness. This is why we offer prayer for virtues in the Catholic faith.
Thomas Aquinas is a wonderful resource for us to learn about growing in virtue, and his many writings can teach us about our faith.
Praying for virtues is important if we want to receive the grace to overcome sinful habits. In addition to offering prayer for virtues, Catholics must also know what the Church teaches about virtue. When you understand what a virtue is and how it overcomes a vice, you are able to amend your life and grow in holiness with the help of God.
We can’t recognize sin if we don’t know what it means to practice holiness. We learn to grow in holiness by learning what a virtue is and practicing self-denial in order to acquire that virtue. We grow in character the more we practice virtue. By desiring God and practicing self-denial, we can become a saint with the help of God’s grace!
If you like this prayer, you may also like to join us in our weekly virtue meditations. I Am Jesus website has many prayer reflections on the virtues.
A Prayer to Acquire the Virtues
by Saint Thomas 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 from 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 the 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 for 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.
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About Saint Thomas Aquinas
Born in 1225, Saint Thomas Aquinas was an Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, and Catholic priest. He is also honored as a Doctor of the Church.
Thomas Aquinas has written extensively on how one can grow in holiness and on prayer. His works on faith and reason are invaluable resources for Christians. He is an immensely influential philosopher and theologian.
Saint Thomas Aquinas has many theological works and prayers that have enriched the faithful for nearly a millennia. During his life of nearly 50 years he had a deep profound love of Christ and worked to grow in holiness himself by praying for virtues and living the gospel teachings with discipline.
Download the prayer A Prayer to Acquire the Virtues by St. Thomas Aquinas, and if you’d like to meditate on holiness, try our 15 minute mental prayer on holiness called: Lord Jesus, Teach me Holiness so I can Love Them as You Do. We would also like to suggest you pray the Prayer for the Virtue of Humility and to Overcome Pride.