Anima Christi (Soul of Christ): Words, Latin, Meaning and History

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The Anima Christi, meaning Soul of Christ, is a traditional prayer to Jesus often said in thanksgiving after Holy Communion. It asks him to make us holy, strengthen us through his Passion and keep us close to him throughout life and at death.

The Anima Christi prayer in English

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 evil 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
for all eternity. Amen.

This traditional English wording appears in F. X. Lasance’s My Prayer-Book (1908). Capitalization, punctuation and line breaks have been adjusted. Other prayer books use such variations as “wicked foe” or “malicious enemy.”

The Anima Christi in Latin

Anima Christi, sanctifica me.
Corpus Christi, salva me.
Sanguis Christi, inebria me.
Aqua lateris Christi, lava me.
Passio Christi, conforta me.
O bone Iesu, 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.

What the prayer means

  • Soul, Body, Blood: the prayer addresses Jesus himself. In the Eucharist the whole Christ is truly present: his Body and Blood, soul and divinity (CCC 1374). The separate invocations do not divide him into parts.
  • “Blood of Christ, inebriate me.” This poetic request asks to be filled and transformed by Christ’s saving love. It describes spiritual devotion, rather than intoxication with alcohol.
  • “Water from the side of Christ, wash me.” John 19:34 describes blood and water flowing from Jesus’ pierced side. The Catechism connects this sign with Baptism and the Eucharist (CCC 1225).
  • “Within thy wounds hide me.” This is an image of taking refuge in the mercy of the crucified and risen Lord.
  • “In the hour of my death call me.” The prayer looks forward to the final meeting with Jesus and to praising Him with all the saints.

History

The prayer is closely associated with St. Ignatius of Loyola because he recommends it in the Spiritual Exercises. For example, in the meditation on the Two Standards he tells the retreatant to conclude the prayer to the Son with the Soul of Christ. That instruction treats it as a familiar prayer. Editions of the Exercises sometimes print the full text among their opening prayers; this does not establish Ignatius as its author. See the original work in the public-domain Elder Mullan translation.

The precise author and date are uncertain. It is best introduced as a traditional prayer associated with Ignatian spirituality, without assigning it confidently to Ignatius or a particular pope.

When to pray the Anima Christi

  • After receiving Holy Communion, in the quiet moments of thanksgiving.
  • During Eucharistic adoration.
  • In time of temptation, especially the line “From the evil enemy defend me.”
  • When preparing for death or praying with the dying.

More prayers for this moment are on Catholic prayers before and after Communion.

You can pray slowly through the whole text or remain with one phrase that expresses your need. After Communion, leave room for silence and follow the common prayer of the liturgy. The Church provides for a period of silent prayer after Communion (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 88).

Frequently asked questions

Did St. Ignatius write the Anima Christi?

It is not securely attributed to him. He recommends the prayer in the Spiritual Exercises, and that association helped it become familiar to generations of people following his spirituality.

What does “inebriate me” mean?

It is a poetic request to be filled and transformed by Christ’s saving love. You can understand the line as “fill me with your love.”

When is the Anima Christi prayed?

Traditionally right after Holy Communion, but it can be prayed at any time.

More prayers

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