The Anima Christi also reminds us of the moving Gospel account of our Lord’s Crucifixion in which “one of the soldiers with a spear opened His side, and immediately there came out blood and water” (John 19:34).

Yet the Spirit filling the disciples was Holy, not distilled! Some people thought that Jesus’ disciples were “drunk on new wine” (Acts 2:13) as they proclaimed the wonderful works of God and were heard in languages other than their own. The line about Christ’s blood, which we also receive in communion, brings to mind the account of the birth of the Church at Pentecost. We receive Him in communion not as a symbol but truly as discussed here in “body, blood, soul and divinity,' as is said at Mass. The Anima Christi’s rich imagery can certainly help on that score! As we are called in our prayer life to be one with Jesus, we ask here that His soul may purify us and give us holiness.Ĭhrist’s body is the bread of life essential for our Salvation, as He himself said in John’s Gospel (6:51-59). He designed this book, still popular today both for retreats and private use, to bring souls closer to God through a series of meditations and prayers. Ignatius featured it in his classic work Spiritual Exercises in the 16th century. However, the Anima Christi dates back to the 14th century and was popular enough that it turned up in prayer books way before St. This religious order, dedicated to serving the pope and the Church through education and missionary work, is still well known today.) Ignatius was the key founding member of the Society of Jesus, better known as the Jesuits, in the 16th century. Ignatius Loyola, pictured above, one of the towering figures of our faith. The actual origins of the Anima Christi are uncertain but the prayer has been widely attributed to St. And bid me come unto Thee, That with all Thy saints, I may praise thee Forever and ever. I love this prayer.Soul of Christ, sanctify me. I never use the word 'bid' in my normal life, so using 'command' makes the prayer more relevant for me. The only other thing I say different from the most common translations is 'command me come to you', which essentially means, 'bid me come to you'. When I say the prayer I simply say 'fill me' because it means more to me that way. I actually like John Henry Newman's translation of that line, 'fill all my veins'. Like, we get drunk off the Blood of Christ. I don't know Latin, but it's interesting that the most common translation for the Blood of Christ line is 'inebriate me', which means get drunk. Water of Christ's side, wash out my stains ĭo not permit me to be separated from you.

Anima christi prayer catholic printable