Anima Christi (Soul of Christ)
A fourteenth-century prayer to Jesus himself, beloved by St. Ignatius of Loyola and often prayed after Communion. Line by line we ask to be drawn wholly into Christ: his Body, his Blood, his wounds. Not admiration from a distance, but a hiding place and a home.
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, embolden me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Never permit me to be parted from you.
From the evil Enemy defend me.
At the hour of my death call me
and bid me come to you,
that with your Saints I may praise you
for age upon age. Amen.