Soul Christ´s prayer (Anima Christi), is the prayer that every catholic should pray. It is assumed that it was written by St. Ignatius
The prayer of the Soul of Christ, or Anima Christi, is a prayer that every Catholic should know and pray every day. The Soul of Christ brings with it a great blessing for those who pray it with faith and devotion.
As Catholics, we are blessed to share a rich and vibrant prayer heritage, accumulated literally over thousands of years, and the Christ´s Soul prayer is one of them.
Over time, many of these prayers that were once pillars of our faith have been sadly neglected or simply not taught - and therefore not uttered - as often as they once were.
Anima Christi: The prayer that every Catholic should pray.
The prayer that every Catholic should pray originated in the 14th century and is known as The Soul of Christ. This prayer recalls the Passion of Jesus and is often said by people after receiving Holy Communion.
At one time it was so well known that authors such as St. Ignatius of Loyola did not even bother to reproduce it; they assumed that everyone knew it by heart.
Origin of the Christ´s Soul prayer.
The author of "The Soul of Christ" is unknown, but many have speculated that it was Pope John XXII. It was popularly assumed that it had been written by St. Ignatius of Loyola since it appears in his famous book "Spiritual Exercises".
However, the first printed versions of the prayer can be found in books published more than 100 years before his birth.
A similar wording can be found on an inscription on the doors of the Alcazar of Seville, a royal palace in Seville Spain, which dates back even further to 1350-1369.
Who was Saint Ignatius of Loyola?
Saint Ignatius of Loyola was one of 13 brothers born to a family of the Basque aristocracy in 1491. Like many of the young men of his time, his dreams were filled with stories of knights and he dreamed of triumphs on the battlefield.
However, he was seriously wounded in battle with the French and began a long period of recovery. It was during this time that he focused all the energy of his youth on reading the life of Jesus and the saints to keep himself busy.
Ignatius of Loyola began to realize his call to great deeds of a spiritual nature and eventually became the founder of the Jesuit Congregation.
St. Ignatius wrote "The Spiritual Exercises", which is widely recognized as one of the most influential books for the spiritual life.
His Ignatian spirituality is very often called a spirituality for every day. As Ignatian spirituality describes:
"We insist that God is present in our world and at work in our lives. This is a path to deeper prayer, good decisions guided by keen discernment and an active life of service to others."
The Soul of Christ.
It is easy to understand why St. Ignatius loved the "Soul of Christ. It has vivid images that allow those who pray it to meditate on the Passion of Christ and their relationship with the Lord, while referring to the Body and Blood of Christ, makes it an ideal reflection after receiving communion.
The name "Anima Christi", as it is known in many places, is in Latin the first phrase of the prayer "Soul of Christ...".
Prayer of the Soul of Christ.
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, embrace me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, comfort me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds, hide me.
Do not let me depart from You.
From the evil enemy, defend me.
In the hour of my death, call me.
And send me to Thee.
So that with your saints I may praise You.
For ever and ever.
Amen.
May the Soul of Christ be with you and bless you forever. Amen
Qriswell Quero, Venezuelan, faithful husband and father of a family. Electronic engineer and missionary of the faith. Committed to the proclamation of the Gospel. Solid believer that there are always new beginnings. Whoever has God has nothing to stop him.
