Anima Christi means ‘Soul of Christ’. The prayer takes its name from its first two words in Latin. The ‘Anima Christi’ is a 14th Century prayer to Jesus and has rich associations with the Eucharist (Body and Blood of Christ), Baptism (water) and the Passion of Jesus (Holy Wounds). It prays for and desires a deep union with Jesus.
The Anima Christi was popularly believed to have been composed by St. Ignatius of Loyola, as he puts it at the beginning of his ‘Spiritual Exercises’ and often refers to it, but its authorship remains uncertain.
In the Roman Missal it is given as a Thanksgiving prayer after Mass. We will now say it after communion at our Holy Family Church.
Below you will find the traditional prayer with a contemporary reading at its side to help you understand it better.
| # | Anima Christi
(Soul of Christ) |
Soul of Christ
A Contemporary Reading by
David Fleming SJ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soul of Christ, sanctify me | Jesus, may all that is you flow into me. |
| 2 | Body of Christ, save me Blood of Christ, inebriate me | May your Body & Blood be my food & drink. |
| 3 | Water from the side of Christ, wash me Passion of Christ, strengthen me | May your passion & death be my strength and life. |
| 4 | O good Jesus, hear me | Jesus, with you by my side enough has been given. |
| 5 | Within Thy wounds hide me | May the shelter I seek be the shadow of your cross. |
| 6 | Suffer me not to be separated from Thee | Let me not run from the love which you offer. |
| 7 | From the malignant enemy defend me. | But hold me safe from the forces of evil. |
| 8 | At the hour of my death call me | On each of my dyings shed your light and your love. |
| 9 | And bid me come to Thee | Keep calling to me until that day comes. |
| 10 | That with Thy saints I may praise Thee For all eternity. Amen | When, with your saints, I may praise you forever. Amen. |