{ "meta": { "schema_version": "1.2", "endpoint": "/api/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/index.json" }, "work": { "slug": "imit-book-4", "name": "Book IV — Of the Sacrament of the Altar", "stream": "greco-christian", "epoch_reflected": "greco-latin", "epoch_written": "greco-latin", "form": "Christian devotional treatise", "tradition": "Christian mysticism", "author": "Thomas à Kempis", "year_approx": 1418, "note": null, "books_slug": "kempis--the-imitation-of-christ", "books_slugs": null, "has_project_translation": false, "steiner_loci": [] }, "parents": [ { "slug": "imitation-of-christ", "name": "The Imitation of Christ", "url": "/sources/imitation-of-christ/" } ], "translation": { "title": null, "author": null, "source": null }, "chapters": [ { "num": 1, "slug": "98-a-devout-exhortation-to-the-holy-communion", "title": "A Devout Exhortation To The Holy Communion", "words": 124, "url": "/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/98-a-devout-exhortation-to-the-holy-communion/", "api": "/api/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/98-a-devout-exhortation-to-the-holy-communion.json", "project_translation": false, "subtitle": "Devout Exhortation to the Holy Communion", "blurb": "The opening exhortation that frames Book IV. The Christ-voice calls the faithful soul to the altar: *Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you.* The voice of the Eucharistic Christ inviting the soul to the great Banquet of his body and blood." }, { "num": 2, "slug": "99-chapter-i-with-how-great-reverence-christ-must-be-received", "title": "Chapter I. With How Great Reverence Christ Must Be Received", "words": 1468, "url": "/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/99-chapter-i-with-how-great-reverence-christ-must-be-received/", "api": "/api/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/99-chapter-i-with-how-great-reverence-christ-must-be-received.json", "project_translation": false, "subtitle": "I. The reverence with which Christ must be received", "blurb": "On the trembling reverence proper to the reception of the Eucharist. The double awe — at one's own unworthiness, at the immensity of the gift. Moses removing his sandals at the burning bush as the type of the proper approach." }, { "num": 3, "slug": "100-chapter-ii-that-the-greatness-and-charity-of-god-is-shown", "title": "Chapter II. That The Greatness And Charity Of God Is Shown To Men In The Sacrament", "words": 797, "url": "/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/100-chapter-ii-that-the-greatness-and-charity-of-god-is-shown/", "api": "/api/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/100-chapter-ii-that-the-greatness-and-charity-of-god-is-shown.json", "project_translation": false, "subtitle": "II. The greatness and charity of God shown in the Sacrament", "blurb": "The Sacrament as the supreme demonstration of God's *magnitudo* (greatness) and *caritas* (charity). That he who is the Lord of all should make himself food for the soul — this is what Christian theology calls *condescensio*, the divine bending-down." }, { "num": 4, "slug": "101-chapter-iii-that-it-is-profitable-to-communicate-often", "title": "Chapter III. That It Is Profitable To Communicate Often", "words": 687, "url": "/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/101-chapter-iii-that-it-is-profitable-to-communicate-often/", "api": "/api/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/101-chapter-iii-that-it-is-profitable-to-communicate-often.json", "project_translation": false, "subtitle": "III. The profit of frequent communion", "blurb": "Against the over-scrupulous staying-away from communion. The Sacrament is medicine for the sick and food for the journey; if the soul waited to be worthy it would never approach. The chapter that helped shift late-medieval practice toward more frequent communion." }, { "num": 5, "slug": "102-chapter-iv-that-many-good-gifts-are-bestowed-upon-those-who", "title": "Chapter IV. That Many Good Gifts Are Bestowed Upon Those Who Communicate Devoutly", "words": 841, "url": "/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/102-chapter-iv-that-many-good-gifts-are-bestowed-upon-those-who/", "api": "/api/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/102-chapter-iv-that-many-good-gifts-are-bestowed-upon-those-who.json", "project_translation": false, "subtitle": "IV. The many gifts bestowed upon devout communicants", "blurb": "Enumeration of the inward gifts that come through devout communion: peace of conscience, fervour of love, strength against temptation, the soul's confirmation in grace, sweetness of devotion, and (when God wills) the foretaste of eternal joy." }, { "num": 6, "slug": "103-chapter-v-of-the-dignity-of-this-sacrament-and-of-the", "title": "Chapter V. Of The Dignity Of This Sacrament, And Of The Office Of The Priest", "words": 459, "url": "/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/103-chapter-v-of-the-dignity-of-this-sacrament-and-of-the/", "api": "/api/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/103-chapter-v-of-the-dignity-of-this-sacrament-and-of-the.json", "project_translation": false, "subtitle": "V. The dignity of this Sacrament; the office of the priest", "blurb": "On the priestly office. The angels themselves would tremble at celebrating what the priest does daily. The chapter's high doctrine of the priestly vocation — *grande mysterium et magna dignitas sacerdotum* — accompanied by the corresponding gravity of priestly responsibility." }, { "num": 7, "slug": "104-chapter-vi-an-inquiry-concerning-preparation-for-communion", "title": "Chapter VI. An Inquiry Concerning Preparation For Communion", "words": 137, "url": "/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/104-chapter-vi-an-inquiry-concerning-preparation-for-communion/", "api": "/api/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/104-chapter-vi-an-inquiry-concerning-preparation-for-communion.json", "project_translation": false, "subtitle": "VI. Inquiry concerning preparation for communion", "blurb": "The Disciple's question: what preparation should I make? Christ's answer in the chapters that follow. Recollection, cleansing of conscience, intention purified, fervour rekindled — the proximate preparation that should precede every reception of the Sacrament." }, { "num": 8, "slug": "105-chapter-vii-of-the-examination-of-conscience-and-purpose-of", "title": "Chapter VII. Of The Examination Of Conscience, And Purpose Of Amendment", "words": 594, "url": "/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/105-chapter-vii-of-the-examination-of-conscience-and-purpose-of/", "api": "/api/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/105-chapter-vii-of-the-examination-of-conscience-and-purpose-of.json", "project_translation": false, "subtitle": "VII. Examination of conscience; purpose of amendment", "blurb": "The double interior act before communion: examination of conscience (looking back at one's sins) and the purpose of amendment (resolving to amend them). The two together making confession sacramentally fruitful and communion devotionally prepared." }, { "num": 9, "slug": "106-chapter-viii-of-the-oblation-of-christ-upon-the-cross-and", "title": "Chapter VIII. Of The Oblation Of Christ Upon The Cross, And Of Resignation Of Self", "words": 329, "url": "/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/106-chapter-viii-of-the-oblation-of-christ-upon-the-cross-and/", "api": "/api/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/106-chapter-viii-of-the-oblation-of-christ-upon-the-cross-and.json", "project_translation": false, "subtitle": "VIII. The oblation of Christ on the Cross; self-resignation", "blurb": "The oblation of Christ on the cross is the pattern; the soul's oblation of itself is its participation. The Mass and communion as the place where the soul lays down its own life into Christ's, joining the great cosmic self-offering of Calvary." }, { "num": 10, "slug": "107-chapter-ix-that-we-ought-to-offer-ourselves-and-all-that-is", "title": "Chapter IX. That We Ought To Offer Ourselves And All That Is Ours To God, And To Pray For All", "words": 663, "url": "/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/107-chapter-ix-that-we-ought-to-offer-ourselves-and-all-that-is/", "api": "/api/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/107-chapter-ix-that-we-ought-to-offer-ourselves-and-all-that-is.json", "project_translation": false, "subtitle": "IX. Offering ourselves and all that is ours to God", "blurb": "On the great offertory of the heart. With the bread and wine on the paten, the soul places its own self, its hopes and fears, its sins and gifts, its loved ones. *Ecce, Domine, offero tibi me ipsum.* The total self-oblation that is the heart's right gesture at communion." }, { "num": 11, "slug": "108-chapter-x-that-holy-communion-is-not-lightly-to-be-omitted", "title": "Chapter X. That Holy Communion Is Not Lightly To Be Omitted", "words": 869, "url": "/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/108-chapter-x-that-holy-communion-is-not-lightly-to-be-omitted/", "api": "/api/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/108-chapter-x-that-holy-communion-is-not-lightly-to-be-omitted.json", "project_translation": false, "subtitle": "X. Communion not lightly to be omitted", "blurb": "Against the tendency to absent oneself from the Sacrament out of laxity or false humility. Communion is medicine for the wounded; one does not omit medicine because one is sick. Only grave sin should keep one away — and that grave sin is itself first to be confessed and put away." }, { "num": 12, "slug": "109-chapter-xi-that-the-body-and-blood-of-christ-and-the-holy", "title": "Chapter XI. That The Body And Blood Of Christ And The Holy Scriptures Are Most Necessary To A Faithful Soul", "words": 1143, "url": "/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/109-chapter-xi-that-the-body-and-blood-of-christ-and-the-holy/", "api": "/api/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/109-chapter-xi-that-the-body-and-blood-of-christ-and-the-holy.json", "project_translation": false, "subtitle": "XI. The Body and Blood of Christ and Holy Scripture as the soul's two necessities", "blurb": "The two great supports of the faithful soul: the Body and Blood of Christ at the altar, and the Word of God in Scripture. The two tables — *mensa altaris* and *mensa Scripturarum*. The classic two-table image of medieval piety made vivid." }, { "num": 13, "slug": "110-chapter-xii-that-he-who-is-about-to-communicate-with-christ", "title": "Chapter XII. That He Who Is About To Communicate With Christ Ought To Prepare Himself With Great Diligence", "words": 595, "url": "/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/110-chapter-xii-that-he-who-is-about-to-communicate-with-christ/", "api": "/api/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/110-chapter-xii-that-he-who-is-about-to-communicate-with-christ.json", "project_translation": false, "subtitle": "XII. Great diligence in preparing for communion", "blurb": "On the diligence proper to the immediate preparation for communion. The discipline of recollection in the hour before the altar; the gathering-back of scattered thoughts; the kindling of desire for what is about to be received." }, { "num": 14, "slug": "111-chapter-xiii-that-the-devout-soul-ought-with-the-whole", "title": "Chapter XIII. That The Devout Soul Ought With The Whole Heart To Yearn After Union With Christ In The Sacrament", "words": 532, "url": "/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/111-chapter-xiii-that-the-devout-soul-ought-with-the-whole/", "api": "/api/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/111-chapter-xiii-that-the-devout-soul-ought-with-the-whole.json", "project_translation": false, "subtitle": "XIII. Yearning after union with Christ in the Sacrament", "blurb": "On the devout soul's whole-hearted yearning after union with Christ in the Sacrament. Not merely receiving but desiring; not merely communicating but *uniting*. The Sacrament as the supremely intimate moment where the union of Christ and soul is offered." }, { "num": 15, "slug": "112-chapter-xiv-of-the-fervent-desire-of-certain-devout-persons", "title": "Chapter XIV. Of The Fervent Desire Of Certain Devout Persons To Receive The Body And Blood Of Christ", "words": 422, "url": "/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/112-chapter-xiv-of-the-fervent-desire-of-certain-devout-persons/", "api": "/api/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/112-chapter-xiv-of-the-fervent-desire-of-certain-devout-persons.json", "project_translation": false, "subtitle": "XIV. The fervent desire of devout persons", "blurb": "Examples of devout souls who burned with the desire of receiving the Body and Blood of Christ. The medieval *desiderium sancti sacramenti* — the holy desire of the Sacrament — as itself a participation in grace prior to and apart from the moment of receiving." }, { "num": 16, "slug": "113-chapter-xv-that-the-grace-of-devotion-is-acquired-by", "title": "Chapter XV. That The Grace Of Devotion Is Acquired By Humility And Self-Denial", "words": 514, "url": "/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/113-chapter-xv-that-the-grace-of-devotion-is-acquired-by/", "api": "/api/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/113-chapter-xv-that-the-grace-of-devotion-is-acquired-by.json", "project_translation": false, "subtitle": "XV. Grace of devotion acquired by humility and self-denial", "blurb": "Devotion is not an extra one acquires by sweetness-seeking; it is a fruit of humility and self-denial. The chapter's quiet correction of those who seek the consolations of communion without willing the cross that communion ratifies." }, { "num": 17, "slug": "114-chapter-xvi-that-we-ought-to-lay-open-our-necessities-to", "title": "Chapter XVI. That We Ought To Lay Open Our Necessities To Christ And To Require His Grace", "words": 340, "url": "/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/114-chapter-xvi-that-we-ought-to-lay-open-our-necessities-to/", "api": "/api/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/114-chapter-xvi-that-we-ought-to-lay-open-our-necessities-to.json", "project_translation": false, "subtitle": "XVI. Laying open our necessities to Christ; requiring his grace", "blurb": "On the prayer at communion: the unfolding before Christ of all the soul's necessities — confessed sins, unmet temptations, beloved persons, particular griefs — and the asking of grace for each. The Sacrament as the privileged occasion of detailed intercession." }, { "num": 18, "slug": "115-chapter-xvii-of-fervent-love-and-vehement-desire-of", "title": "Chapter XVII. Of Fervent Love And Vehement Desire Of Receiving Christ", "words": 631, "url": "/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/115-chapter-xvii-of-fervent-love-and-vehement-desire-of/", "api": "/api/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/115-chapter-xvii-of-fervent-love-and-vehement-desire-of.json", "project_translation": false, "subtitle": "XVII. Fervent love and vehement desire of receiving Christ", "blurb": "On the *amor fervens* and *vehemens desiderium* with which Christ ought to be received. The two contrary dispositions to avoid: cold formality, and reckless familiarity. Both yield to the steady fervent love that is the true disposition of the devout communicant." }, { "num": 19, "slug": "116-chapter-xviii-that-a-man-should-not-be-a-curious-searcher", "title": "Chapter XVIII. That A Man Should Not Be A Curious Searcher Of The Sacrament, But A Humble Imitator Of Christ, Submitting His Sense To Holy Faith", "words": 540, "url": "/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/116-chapter-xviii-that-a-man-should-not-be-a-curious-searcher/", "api": "/api/sources/imitation-of-christ/imit-book-4/116-chapter-xviii-that-a-man-should-not-be-a-curious-searcher.json", "project_translation": false, "subtitle": "XVIII. Not a curious searcher of the Sacrament, but a humble imitator", "blurb": "The closing chapter of the entire *Imitation*. Against speculative curiosity about the manner of Christ's presence in the Sacrament. *Submit thy sense to holy faith.* The crowning exhortation: be not a curious searcher, but a humble imitator of Christ — the work's title resolved into its closing word." } ] }