The Anima Christi, Latin for "Soul of Christ," is a short, intense prayer of union with Jesus. It is traditionally prayed after receiving Holy Communion, when Jesus is closest to us.
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 malicious enemy defend me. In the hour of my death call me, and bid me come unto Thee, that with Thy saints I may praise Thee forever and ever. Amen.
When to Pray It
- After Holy Communion, in thanksgiving
- During adoration, before the Blessed Sacrament
- When you feel spiritually weak or tempted
- When praying for a holy death
What It Means
The first half calls on Christ, part by part, to work in us:
- "Soul of Christ, sanctify me": make me holy.
- "Body of Christ, save me": the Body we receive in the Eucharist.
- "Blood of Christ, inebriate me": fill me completely with Your love, the way wine fills and overflows.
- "Water from the side of Christ, wash me": the water that flowed from Jesus' pierced side on the cross (John 19:34), a sign of baptism.
- "Passion of Christ, strengthen me": let Your suffering give me strength in mine.
The second half asks Jesus to keep us close: to hide us in His wounds, to never let us be separated from Him, to defend us from evil, and to call us to Himself at the hour of death, so that we may praise Him forever with the saints.
Where It Comes From
The Anima Christi dates from the early 14th century. Its author is unknown.
It is often credited to St. Ignatius of Loyola, because he loved it and placed it at the beginning of his Spiritual Exercises. But the prayer was already being prayed more than a century before he was born.
In Latin
Anima Christi, sanctifica me. Corpus Christi, salva me. Sanguis Christi, inebria me. Aqua lateris Christi, lava me. Passio Christi, conforta me.
O bone Iesu, exaudi me. Intra tua vulnera absconde me. Ne permittas me separari a te. Ab hoste maligno defende me. In hora mortis meae voca me, et iube me venire ad te, ut cum Sanctis tuis laudem te in saecula saeculorum. Amen.