The Anima Christi

The Anima Christi is a 14th-century prayer of deep personal devotion to Christ, believed to have been composed around 1300 AD, though its exact author is unknown. It gained enormous prominence when St. Ignatius of Loyola placed it at the very opening of his Spiritual Exercises in the 16th century, recommending it especially for use after receiving Holy Communion. The prayer moves through the entire mystery of Christ's humanity — his soul, body, blood, the water from his side, his passion — petitioning each to accomplish a specific work of grace in the one praying. Its imagery of being hidden within Christ's wounds reflects a rich tradition of Passion-centered spirituality prominent in the medieval Church. Pope John Paul II was particularly devoted to this prayer and cited it frequently in his writings and addresses.