Dear Marquette students,

The campus flowers and trees are blooming — definitely signs that Finals Week is near. I hope this message finds your courses, papers and projects in the best shape possible, and that your mind is in an excellent place as you prepare for the end of the spring semester.

Other announcements will be made about sustenance breaks during the upcoming week. I’ll be at two on Tuesday, May 9. First will be the always-popular snacks with the president on the Raynor Library bridge. I’ll be there handing out doughnut holes (340 dozen are being prepared!) and coffee, tea and hot chocolate from 8 p.m. to midnight. I’ll take a break at 10 p.m. to attend Mass at the St. Joan of Arc Chapel — then return to the bridge after mass to continue with doughnuts and drinks. I hope to see you.

To help you navigate your studying and completion of final projects, I’d like to offer a prayer for your use from St. Thomas Aquinas, patron saint of Catholic universities.

Prayer Before Study

Creator of all things,
true Source of light and wisdom,
lofty origin of all being,
graciously let a ray of Your brilliance
penetrate into the darkness of my understanding
and take from me the double darkness
in which I have been born,
an obscurity of both sin and ignorance.
Give me a sharp sense of understanding,
a retentive memory,
and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally.
Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations,
and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm.
Point out the beginning,
direct the progress,
and help in completion;
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

I also offer to you my personal prayers and best wishes for your success during spring 2017 Finals Week.

Best,

Dr. Michael R. Lovell

President
Marquette University