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Anima Christi
The Anima Christi is an ancient Catholic prayer asking Jesus for sanctification, protection and deep union with Him.
Pray
Anima Christi
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. Permit me not to be separated from Thee. From the wicked foe, defend me. At the hour of my death, call me and bid me come unto Thee, that with Thy saints I may praise Thee for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Soul of Christ, sanctify me”
The prayer asks Christ to make the person praying holy by drawing them more deeply into His own life.
“Body of Christ, save me”
This strongly Eucharistic line turns toward Christ Himself as the source of salvation.
“Blood of Christ, inebriate me”
The traditional language expresses a desire to be completely filled and overwhelmed by the grace of Christ.
“Water from the side of Christ, wash me”
The image recalls the blood and water flowing from Christ's pierced side and the cleansing grace associated with His saving death.
“Passion of Christ, strengthen me”
The suffering of Jesus is approached not only as something remembered but as a source of courage and perseverance.
“Within thy wounds hide me”
This intimate image asks to find refuge in the wounds through which Christ gave Himself for the world.
“At the hour of my death call me”
The prayer ultimately asks to remain with Christ through death and into eternal life.
In brief
Catholics pray the Anima Christi as an intensely Christ-centred prayer for holiness and union with Jesus. Its references to Christ's Body, Blood, wounds and Passion give it a strong Eucharistic and Passion-centred character.
Understand
What is this prayer?
The Anima Christi is a medieval Catholic prayer addressed directly to Jesus Christ. Its title comes from its opening Latin words, meaning Soul of Christ.
Quick facts
- Meaning of title
- Soul of Christ
- Type
- Christ-centred devotional prayer
- Period
- Medieval
- Common use
- After Holy Communion
- Later association
- St Ignatius of Loyola
Why Catholics pray it
Why it matters
The prayer asks Christ to sanctify, save, strengthen and protect the person praying. Its language draws attention to the Incarnation and Passion rather than treating faith as something purely abstract.
When to pray
When Catholics use it
It is especially associated with prayer after receiving Holy Communion, but it may be prayed at any time as a devotion to Christ and His Passion.
Meaning
What the words mean
Each short petition asks for deeper union with a different aspect of Christ's saving life and Passion. The prayer culminates in the hope of remaining with Christ through death and praising Him with the saints forever.
History
Where this prayer comes from
The Anima Christi is a medieval prayer that predates St Ignatius of Loyola, although it later became strongly associated with Ignatian spirituality because St Ignatius included it in the Spiritual Exercises.
Scripture
Biblical connections
John 19:34
The prayer's reference to water from Christ's side recalls the Gospel account of blood and water flowing from the pierced side of Jesus.
John 6:53–56
Jesus speaks of eating His flesh and drinking His blood and of the communion between Him and those who receive Him.
Catholic teaching
Catechism connections
CCC 1382
The Catechism describes the Mass as both sacrificial memorial and sacred banquet of communion with the Lord's Body and Blood.
CCC 1391
The Catechism teaches that Holy Communion deepens the communicant's union with Christ.
Understand
Common questions
What does Anima Christi mean?
The Latin title means Soul of Christ, which is also the opening phrase of the prayer.
Did St Ignatius write the Anima Christi?
No. The prayer predates St Ignatius, although it became closely associated with him because he included it in the Spiritual Exercises.
When is the Anima Christi usually prayed?
It is especially popular after receiving Holy Communion, though it can be used at any time as a prayer for union with Christ.
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