Soul of Christ, Sanctify Me

Use: General, Eucharistic
Required Resources: SA choir, organ
Optional Resources: treble choir
Language: English

This beautiful 16th century prayer is set for SA choir and organ by Alan Smith, Director of Music at Saint Andrew's Church (Anglican) in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, England.

The piece begins with sopranos singing several phrases, followed by the altos. They join for the remainder of the work, sometimes singing homophonically, sometimes in relaxed polyphony. Soul of Christ is not too difficult for a good children's choir to learn; it could also be sung effectively by the women of the adult choir.

The text, attributed to Saint Ignatius (1491-1556), reads:

Soul of Christ, sanctify me;
Blood of Christ, fill me;
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
O good Jesu, hear me.

Within they wounds, hide me;
Suffer me not to be separated from thee;
From the malicious enemy, defend me;

In the hour of death, call me and bid me come to thee;
That with thy saints I may praise thee for ever and ever.
Amen.