Anima Christi

Anima Christi (Latin for " soul of Christ ") is an attested since the 14th century prayer; Author may be Pope John XXII. († 1334 ).

Prayer is marked by the passion piety of the late Middle Ages. First it was used for private worship of Christ present in the Eucharist. So it was spoken by the elevation and during communion. Today it can be found in the appendix of the Roman Missal as a possible prayer of thanks after the fair. Ignatius of Loyola recommends prayer in his retreat, which is why we used to sometimes accepted him as the author. ( Only since John Roothaan the text is printed on the very first page of the retreat booklet. ) Also Bernardine of Feltre was held for the author.

Before the time of pietism and the Enlightenment was the prayer, like other medieval texts (eg membranes Jesu Nostri ), also in Lutheranism spread, especially in the translation of John Scheffler: The Soul of Christ sanctify myself. Sung by the choir or congregation, it was during the distribution of communion. Anima Christi has often been set to music, so by Jean -Baptiste Lully, as well as in the Lutheran area of Heinrich Schütz (SWV 325) and Johann Theile.

The text reads:

Verse version of John Scheffler

1 The soul of Christ Heilge me His spirit immerse myself in it, His body, the verwundt for me The make me body and soul healthy.

2 The water, which to the shock The spear flowed from his side, That was my bathroom, and all his blood Revive me heart, mind and courage.

3 The sweat from his face Let me not come into condemnation; All his suffering, cross and suffering, That would be my strength.

4 O Jesus Christ, hear me, Take and hide me completely in love with you, Closing me in your wounds, That enemy in front of me to be sure.

5 Call me on my last emergency And sit down next to you, my God, That I ALLN with your holy Possibility for ever your praises erschalln.