This prayer is referred to as the Prayer of St Benedict. It appears in Alcuin's works (732-804).
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Digneris mihi donare,
Pater pie et sancte,
intellectum qui te intelligat,
sensum qui te sentiat: |
O loving and holy Father,
graciously grant me,
intellect to understand Thee,
and reason to discern Thee. |
Animum qui te sapiat,
diligentiam quae te quaerat,
sapientiam quae te inveniat,
animum qui te cognoscat: |
Grant me a spirit to know Thee,
diligence to seek Thee,
wisdom to find Thee,
and a mind to know Thee. |
Viscera quae te ament,
cor quod te cogitet,
actum qui te augeat,
auditum qui te audiat: |
Grant me a heart to love Thee,
a heart to know Thee,
deeds to praise Thee,
and ears to hear Thee. |
Oculos qui te videant,
linguam quae te praedicet
conversationem quae tibi placeat,
patientiam quae te sustineat,
perseverantiam quae te exspectet: |
Grant me eyes to see Thee,
a tongue to proclaim Thee,
conversation pleasing to Thee,
patience to wait for Thee,
and perseverance to look for Thee, |
Finem perfectum,
praesentiam tuam sanctam,
resurrectionem bonam,
retributionem,
vitam aeternam.
Amen. |
Grant me a perfect end,
Thy holy presence,
a blessed resurrection,
a heavenly reward,
and eternal life.
Amen. |
Migne, Patrologia Latina, Alcuin, Tomus-CI, col. 553.
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