Draw me close to You, 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.
Suffer me not 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 all Thy saints,
I may praise thee
Forever and ever. Amen.

The actual origins of the Anima Christi are uncertain but the prayer has been widely attributed to Saint Ignatius Loyola, who was the key founding member of the Society of Jesus, better known as the Jesuits, in the 16th century. This religious order, dedicated to serving the pope and the Church through education and missionary work, is still well known today. However, the Anima Christi dates back to the 14th century and was popular enough that it turned up in prayer books way before Saint Ignatius featured it in his classic work Spiritual Exercises in the 16th century. He designed this book, still popular today both for retreats and private use, to bring souls closer to God through a series of meditations and prayers.

The Anima Christi has rich imagery. As we are called in our prayer life to be one with Jesus, we ask here that His soul may purify us and give us holiness. Christ’s body is the bread of life essential for our Salvation, as He himself said in John6:51-59. We receive Him in communion not as a symbol but truly as discussed here in “body, blood, soul and divinity," as is said at Mass. The Anima Christi (Latin for “Soul of Christ”) is a prayer inviting us to ask our Lord for comfort, strength, and guidance. It offers us a chance to meditate on His Passion and pray for His help to gain Eternal Life. The Anima Christi is profoundly Christ-centered.

May Jesus draw us close to Him.