St. Augustine’s “You Are Christ” prayer of adoration is a breathtaking, poetic cry of love that beautifully echoes Saint Peter’s profound confession in Scripture. Often prayed by the faithful as a post-Communion thanksgiving or during Eucharistic Adoration, this classic Catholic devotion layers title upon glorious title to honor the majesty of Jesus. If you are looking to deepen your interior life, let the passionate words of Saint Augustine guide your soul into a state of profound awe, gratitude, and intimate worship.

The “You are Christ” adoration prayer praises Jesus from the heart as the soul source of purpose in your life. St. Augustine’s prayer of adoration is often prayed privately during reception of holy Communion. You Are Christ opens with a list of titles and salutations, and offers a confirmation of love, despite years of wandering in the world and lack of devotion to the Lord. It ends with a petition for the grace to be holy.

You are Christ prayer was written by St. Augustine of Hippo, who was a convert to Christianity later in his life; he was a theologian, philosopher, and the bishop of Hippo in North Africa. He died 430 AD.

St. Augustine of Hippo was an intellectual and a sinner. After many years he finally had a conversion of heart. He wrote a beautiful book about his experiences called Confessions.  This prayer is quite moving.  It encapsulates how deeply Augustine loved Jesus and how much he regretted not loving him sooner. “You are Christ” is a prayer that echoes how many converts feel when they discover Jesus later in life. Jesus is the pearl of great price.

If you want to continue resting in His mercy, you can read our companion meditation on the Dear Jesus Prayer of Repentance to find healing after sinning against God.

You are Christ

a prayer by St. Augustine of Hippo

You are Christ, my Holy Father, my Tender God, my Great King, my Good Shepherd, my Only Master, my Best Helper, my Most Beautiful and my Beloved, my Living Bread, my Priest Forever, my Leader to my Country, my True Light, my Holy Sweetness, my Straight Way, my Excellent Wisdom, my Pure Simplicity, my Peaceful Harmony, my Entire Protection, my Good Portion, my Everlasting Salvation. 

Christ Jesus, Sweet Lord, why have I ever loved, why in my whole life have I ever desired anything except You, Jesus my God? Where was I when I was not in spirit with You? 

Now, from this time forth, do you, all my desires, grow hot, and flow out upon the Lord Jesus: run… you have been tardy until now; hasten where you are going; seek Whom you are seeking. O, Jesus may he who loves You not be an anathema; may he who loves You not be filled with bitterness. 

O, Sweet Jesus, may every good feeling that is fitted for Your praise, love You, delight in You, adore You! God of my heart, and my Portion, Christ Jesus, may my heart faint away in spirit, and may You be my Life within me! 

May the live coal of Your Love grow hot within my spirit and break forth into a perfect fire; may it burn incessantly on the altar of my heart; may it glow in my innermost being; may it blaze in hidden recesses of my soul; and in the days of my consummation may I be found consummated with You! 

Amen.

Abide Deeper in His Sacred Presence

Read Confessions by St. Augustine of Hippo

Online book in PDF format.