Soul of my Saviour

This is the second post in a series forming a resource for

those who are walking the Camino (or intend to do so) and want a way to make it more a real pilgrimage, a prayerful experience
anyone who is walking anywhere, and who wants to make their walking more prayerful
anyone who wants to grow in their friendship with God, with Jesus, walking or being at home or any other context

The first in the series (do go back and read this) is How to Pray Like a Pilgrim – Camino Lessons from St Ignatius Loyola

The Spiritual Exercises begins with the text of Anima Christi – Soul of my Saviour. This placement, with everything in the Exercises being authored by Ignatius Loyola himself, gave many the impression that he had written it. He didn’t. In fact, in the first edition of the Exercises, Ignatius simply refers to it. Only in later editions did he put in the full text.

Soul of my Saviour, sanctify my breast,
Body of Christ, be Thou my saving guest,
Blood of my Saviour, bathe me in Thy tide,
Wash me with water flowing from Thy side.

Strength and protection may Thy Passion be,
O blessed Jesus, hear and answer me;
Deep in Thy wounds, Lord, hide and shelter me,
So shall I never, never part from Thee.

Guard and defend me from the foe malign,
In death’s dread moments make me only Thine;
Call me and bid me come to Thee on high,
Where I may praise Thee with Thy saints for aye.

Best guess is that it is 14th Century and written by Pope John XXII. The above rendering is by 19th Century Edward Caswall [others attribute this to J. Hegarty – if you can untangle this, I’d appreciate it.] William J. Maher produced the tune; and it is a popular Eucharistic hymn amongst Anglicans, Roman Catholics, and others.

On my recent Camino, I was absolutely delighted to find how well the rhythm matched my normal walking pace! As I started the Camino through the lens and focus of the Exercises, this hymn prayer was a constant companion.

Here is the original:

Anima Christi, sanctifica me. Corpus Christi, salva me.Sanguis Christi, inebria me. Aqua lateris Christi, lava me. Passio Christi, conforta me. O bone Jesu, 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 jube me venire ad te,Ut cum Sanctis tuis laudem te, In saecula saeculorum.Amen.

There is much to reflect on and pray on.

David Fleming, SJ, has a wonderful contemporary rendering:

Jesus, may all that is you flow into me.
May your body and blood be my food and drink.
May your passion and death be my strength and life.
Jesus, with you by my side, enough has been given.
May the shelter I seek be the shadow your cross.
Let me not run from the love which you offer,
But hold me safe from the forces of evil.
On each my dyings shed your light and your love.
Keep calling to me until that day comes, when, with your saints,
I may praise you forever.
Amen.

In Louis Puhl’s translation of the Exercises, the version is:

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.
Permit me not to be separated from thee.

From the wicked foe, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me
and bid me come to thee
That with thy saints I may praise thee

Forever and ever. Amen.