“Anima Christi”
“Here in Camaldoli, many people come to the ‘Divine Master oasis’ for a time of silence and prayer. They often attend the liturgy and are attracted by the instrument I play, called the zither. At the end of the day, they always ask if I have recorded anything. Actually, I never had. But now we have decided to record several of our songs. The songs are used mainly for the liturgy, so they have a rather slow melody which aids reflection and turns one’s attention in a special way to God’s Word. This is a proclamation of the Word of God that passes through the strings of the harp, through chords of music. We believe, as St. Augustine said before us, that “he who sings prays twice.” We hope that this CD, ‘Oltre il cielo’ [Beyond the Sky] will help people to pray, not only here in this oasis of peace, but also in their own home, and continue to provide rhythm to people’s lives through song and prayer.”
Sr. Myriam
I met Sr. Myriam during a retreat in the ancient Camaldolese guesthouse. She has a heavenly voice that she accompanies with the zither, an instrument dating back to 5000 years BC.
With a passion to proclaim the Gospel through beauty, Sr. Myriam was asked by a Catholic site to record Marco Frisina’s rendition of the famous hymn, Anima Christi. The video quickly went viral. It was the first time such an ancient instrument attracted such attention on the web.
Costanza d’Ardia
The Anima Christi is a prayer from around the 14th century. It is widely used as a prayer of Thanksgiving after receiving the Body and Blood of Our Lord, Jesus Christ in Holy Communion.
Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ’s side, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That I may praise Thee with Thy saints
and with Thy angels
Forever and ever
Amen.
