The following prayer, known as the Anima Christi (Life of Christ) and has been prayed by Christians for 500 years. Attributed to St. Ignatius of Loyala, it embodies the heartcry of the soul desiring intimacy with Jesus.
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.
Separated from Thee let me never be.
From the malignant enemy, defend me.
At the hour of death, call me.
And close to Thee bid me.
That with Thy saints I may be Praising Thee,
Forever and ever.
Amen
Even to one not well-versed in Latin, the beauty of the original prayer touches the soul
Anima Christi in Latin
Amina Christi, sanctifica me.
Corpus Christi, salva me.
Sanquis Christi, inebria me.
Aqua lateris Christi, lava me.
Passio Christi, conforta me.
O bone Jesu, 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.
