Although the Spiritual Exercises consist for the most
part in meditations on Scripture passages as well as
reflections on life and committment to Christ, St Ignatius
does suggest a few well known prayers, often to end
a meditation session. He frequently suggests one of
three prayers, the Lord's Prayer (Our Father), the Hail
Mary (Ave Maria) and the Anima Christi. The first of
these two are still well known and used, the last is
not as well known. It is probably best known in its
versified form as the hymn, "Soul of My Saviour".
Anima Christi - Soul of Christ
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, strenthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within your wounds, hide me.
Never permit me to be separated from you.
From the wicked foe, defend me
At the hour of my death, call me
And bid me come to you
That with your saints I may praise you
For ever and ever, Amen.
There are two other prayers, apparently
written by Ignatius, that he suggest the retreatant
undertaking the Full Spiritual Exercises might want
to pray: Eternal Lord of all things, which comes as
an offering to Christ, the King at the end of the First
Week of the Exercises - number 98.
and Take and Receive.
Eternal Lord of all things
Eternal Lord of all things,
I come before your infinite goodness,
and before your glorious mother and all saints of
the heavenly court,
to make my offering, with your help and favour:
it is my wish, desire and determination,
provided that it would be for your greater service
and praise,
to imitate you in suffering injury, insults and poverty,
actual as well as spiritual;
It is my wish that your most holy majesty would choose
to receive me in such a way of life.
Perhaps the most famous of Ignatius
prayers is the Sucipe or Take and Receive which
comes right at then end of the Spiritual Exercises -
number 234. A total giving of self back to God. The
Memory, Understanding and Will were seen to encompass
the person's learning, mental ability and judgment,
and freedom to act - the totality of human qualities
known as the three
powers of the soul.
At this stage of the Exercises there is no need to spell
out the spiritual determination to go against the usual
human desires for pleasure, riches and being well thought
of, as in the prayer above - Eternal Lord of All things.
By now the only desire is for a self-emptying and handing
of self over to Christ.
Take and Receive
Take Lord, and receive
all my liberty, my memory, my understanding and my
entire will,
All I have and possess.
You have given me everything Lord, I return it.
All is yours, dispose of it according to your will.
Give me only your love and your grace
that is enough for me.
