Anima Christi (Soul of Christ)

A Medieval Prayer Popularized by a Saint Who Didn't Write It

The Anima Christi is older than the Jesuits who made it famous — its author is unknown, and the text is attested from the early 14th century, predating St. Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) by roughly two hundred years. Ignatius placed it at the very opening of his Spiritual Exercises, and it has been closely associated with Ignatian spirituality ever since, though it remains in common use well beyond Jesuit circles as a prayer of thanksgiving after Communion.

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. Never permit me 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.

Helper

1. "Inebriate me" (some translations use "embolden me" or "enliven me") is a striking image on purpose — being so filled with Christ's life that it overflows like wine, not literal drunkenness.
2. Because it is a thanksgiving prayer, many Catholics pray it silently in the pew in the quiet minutes right after receiving Communion.
3. Wording varies slightly by translation — this is normal for a centuries-old prayer with no single authoritative Latin critical edition; the version above matches USCCB's current text.