Anima Christi
I hate to say things without individuals understanding who I am, or where I am coming from, because it is easy to misunderstand people if you don't know something about them. This being said, I was raised with mostly Baptist influences on every side. At some time in my early teens I was exposed to the charismatic movement (as it is known historically), and after my own experience of salvation in a charismatic church at the age of 20, remained within this movement within Christianity. In due time I found myself drawn to Catholic doctrines, history, and most profoundly to the writings of the "Fathers of the Church," in particular the ante-Nicene fathers.
Throughout the years I have never lost my attraction to Catholic Christianity, and without a doubt, this attraction has been nutured by the likes of John Michael Talbot (my favorite musician, who happens to be the founder of a Catholic monastic community that permits marriage among those who desire such), and the late Thomas Merton, who spent most of his life as a Cistercian monk at Our Lady of Gethsemane, near Louisville, Kentucky. I have never accepted all of the doctrines of the Roman church, and the truth is I doubt I could agree with all of the doctrines of any given church, but God has enabled me to relish, enjoy, and understand in a substantial way the things that are worthwhile, and good within Catholicism, as well as other parts of the Christian body. I am glad to know that someone can be raised in an anti-Catholic environment, and yet come to appreciate the truth behind the thing that others would have them despise.
Anima Christi is a prayer from the 14th century, widely believed to have been written by Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. Saint Ignatius has always been dear to me, since I first read the history of the Jesuits (The Society of Jesus), and I came across the phrase that so moved his life, "All for the greater glory of God."
Anima Christi (Soul of Christ)
Soul of Christ, sanctify my soul
Broken Body of Christ, make me whole
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from the side of Christ, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
Within your wounds I hide,
Never to leave
And at the hour of my death, call me
And bidst me come ,
With your saints, I will rest
(translation from John Michael Talbot's musical rendition)
Throughout the years I have never lost my attraction to Catholic Christianity, and without a doubt, this attraction has been nutured by the likes of John Michael Talbot (my favorite musician, who happens to be the founder of a Catholic monastic community that permits marriage among those who desire such), and the late Thomas Merton, who spent most of his life as a Cistercian monk at Our Lady of Gethsemane, near Louisville, Kentucky. I have never accepted all of the doctrines of the Roman church, and the truth is I doubt I could agree with all of the doctrines of any given church, but God has enabled me to relish, enjoy, and understand in a substantial way the things that are worthwhile, and good within Catholicism, as well as other parts of the Christian body. I am glad to know that someone can be raised in an anti-Catholic environment, and yet come to appreciate the truth behind the thing that others would have them despise.
Anima Christi is a prayer from the 14th century, widely believed to have been written by Saint Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. Saint Ignatius has always been dear to me, since I first read the history of the Jesuits (The Society of Jesus), and I came across the phrase that so moved his life, "All for the greater glory of God."
Anima Christi (Soul of Christ)
Soul of Christ, sanctify my soul
Broken Body of Christ, make me whole
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from the side of Christ, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
Within your wounds I hide,
Never to leave
And at the hour of my death, call me
And bidst me come ,
With your saints, I will rest
(translation from John Michael Talbot's musical rendition)