Recommended Reading from Gathering

It occurred to me that I should start posting separately all the book resources I recommend during the gatherings. So beginning today, I will post recommended reading on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month following our normal gatherings. If you click on the titles, the link will take you to the appropriate Amazon page to review the books.

Anima Christi: Soul of Christ, Sister Mary Francis

Handbook of Catholic Apologetics: Reasoned Answers to Questions of Faith, Peter Kreeft

Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives, Pope Benedict XVI

Anima Christi

The Incredulity of St. Thomas, Caravaggio

At yesterday's gathering I mentioned the Anima Christi prayer as a perfect post-Communion prayer. This prayer dates back to some time in the 14th Century and its origin is unknown. I mistakingly attributed it to St. Thomas Aquinas in the talk and some used to believe it was written by St. Ignatius of Loyola. Still others, like the authors of the Catholic Encyclopedia, claim that it was probably written by Pope John XXII.

Here is a copy of the prayer and a video of the prayer (in Latin) in song. You should also check out Anima Christi: Soul of Christ by Mother Mary Francis. This book meditates on the meaning of each of the lines of the prayer. I promise it will breathe life into the prayer for you. Finally, I would like to add that you can often find a copy of this prayer in the front or back cover of most church misslettes.

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

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.

Separated from Thee let me never be.

From the malignant enemy, defend me.

At the hour of death, call me.

To come to Thee, bid me,

That I may praise Thee in the company

Of Thy Saints, for all eternity.

Amen.

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