Prayers We All Should Know: The Anima Christi

As Catholics, we are blessed to share a rich and vibrant prayer heritage that has accumulated over literally thousands of years. Over time, many of these prayers that once were mainstays of our faith have been sadly neglected or just not taught – and as a result, not said – as often as they once were.

One of these is a prayer that dates back to the 14^th century – the Anima Christi. This prayer that recalls Jesus’ passion is frequently said by individuals after receiving Holy Communion. At one time, it was so well known that authors like St. Ignatius of Loyola didn’t even bother reprinting it; they merely assumed everyone knew it by heart.

Origin of the prayer

The author of Anima Christi is not known, but many have speculated that it was Pope John XXII. The prayer was popularly assumed to be written by St. Ignatius of Loyola since it appeared in his famous book Spiritual Exercises. However, the earliest printed versions of the prayer can be found in books published more than 100 years before his birth. Similar wording can also be found on an inscription on the gates of the Alcazar of Seville, a royal palace in Seville, Span, that dates back even earlier to 1350-1369.

Who was St. Ignatius of Loyola?

Ignatius was one of 13 children born to a family of Basque aristocrats in 1491. Like many young men of his time, his dreams were filled with tales of gallantry and he dreamed of success in the battlefield. However, he was gravely wounded in a battle with the French and began a long process of recovery. It was during this time that the energetic young man turned to reading about the lives of Jesus and the saints to occupy himself. He began to realize his call toward great deeds of a spiritual nature, and ultimately cofounded the Jesuits. He also authored Spiritual Exercises, which is widely regarded as one of most influential books about the spiritual life. His Ignatian spirituality is often called spirituality for everyday life. As described by Ignation Spirituality: “It insists that God is present in our world and active in our lives. It is a pathway to deeper prayer, good decisions guided by keen discernment, and an active life of service to others.”

The Anima Christi

It’s easy to see why Saint Ignatius loved the Anima Christi. It has vivid imagery that allows people to meditate on Christ’s passion and their relationship with Him, while its references to the Body and Blood of Christ make it a natural fit for meditating after communion. The name Anima Christi is the Latin translation of the first line of the prayer “Soul of Christ.”

Here is the traditional English translation of the prayer:

Soul of Christ, sanctify me

Body of Christ, save me

Blood of Christ, inebriate me

Water from the side of Christ, wash me

Passion of Christ, strengthen me

O good Jesus, hear me

Within Thy wounds hide me

Separated from Thee let me never be

From the malignant enemy defend me

In the hour of my death call me

And bid me come unto Thee

That with all Thy saints I may praise Thee

Forever and ever

Amen

Use this beautiful prayer whenever you want to feel close to Jesus, to recall the sacrfices He has made for you, and to celebrate what He continues to do in your life.