A medieval prayer asking Christ's body, blood, and passion to sanctify, save, and protect the one who prays.
Tagged: Eucharist Prayer Catholic
The Text
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.
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee.
From the malignant enemy, defend me.
In the hour of my death, call me.
And bid me come to Thee,
that with Thy saints I may praise Thee
for ever and ever. Amen.
Historical Context
The Anima Christi ('Soul of Christ') is an anonymous Latin prayer from the early 14th century; manuscripts predate St. Ignatius of Loyola, who placed it at the head of his Spiritual Exercises in the 16th century and so spread its use widely. John Henry Newman made a well-known English translation in the 19th century. Its petitions move through the elements of Christ's passion — body, blood, water from his side, and wounds.
Use and Practice
Catholics commonly pray the Anima Christi after receiving Communion, during Eucharistic adoration, and as part of the Ignatian Exercises and other retreats.
References
- EWTN Devotions Free / open access
- USCCB Prayers and Devotions Free / open access
Related Prayers and Creeds
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- The Lord's Prayer (Our Father) — The prayer Jesus taught his disciples in Matthew 6 and Luke 11, shared by Christians of every tradition.
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