Novena to the Holy Deacons, Day 2: Blessed Alcuin of York

O glorious and blessed Alcuin, great teacher of the Faith, filled with compassion for those who invoke you, I kneel at your feet and humbly beg you to take my present need under your special protection and to make your prayer mine:

Give me O Lord, I pray Thee
firm faith, unwavering hope,
perfect charity.
Pour into my heart
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding
the Spirit of counsel and spiritual strength
the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness
and the Spirit of Thy holy fear
Light eternal, shine in my heart
Power eternal, deliver me from evil
Wisdom eternal, scatter the darkness of my ignorance
Might eternal, pity me
Grant that I may ever seek Thy face
with all my heart and soul and strength;
and, in thine infinite mercy,
bring me at last to Thy holy presence
where I shall behold Thy glory
and possess Thy promised joys.

V Most holy and blessed Alcuin, pray for us
R That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be.

Blessed Alcuin of York

Spiritual student of Saint Colgan. Deacon. Head of the York cathedral school c.770. Minister of education under Blessed Charlemagne in 781.

Established schools at cathedrals and monasteries. Established scriptoria dedicated to copying and preserving ancient manuscripts, both pagan and Christian; that we have as much as we do of the writings of classical Roman authors is largely due to Alcuin and his scribes.

Credited with the invention of cursive script. Revised and organized the Latin liturgy, preserved ancient prayers, and helped develop plain chant. Died 19 May 804 at Tours.