De Imitatione Christi: Liber Quartus 13-18 of|imitation|of Christ|book|fourth Über die Nachahmung Christi: Buch vier 13-18 De la Imitación de Cristo: Libro Cuarto 13-18 De l'imitation du Christ : Livre Quatre 13-18 Sull'imitazione di Cristo: libro quarto 13-18 Over de navolging van Christus: boek vier 13-18 Sobre a Imitação de Cristo: Livro Quatro 13-18 On the Imitation of Christ: Book Four 13-18

Cap. chapter Chapter. 13. 13. Quod toto corde anima devota Christi unionem in Sacramento affectare debet. that|whole|heart|soul|devoted|to Christ|union|in|sacrament|to desire|ought to That a devoted soul should desire union with Christ in the Sacrament with all its heart.

1\\. 1. Quis mihi det, Domine, ut inveniam te solum, ut aperiam tibi totum cor meum, ut fruar te sicut desiderat anima. who|to me|may give|Lord|that|I may find|you|alone|that|I may open|to you|whole|heart|my|that|I may enjoy|you|as|desires|soul Who will give me, Lord, to find you alone, to open to you my whole heart, to enjoy you as my soul desires. Et jam nemo me despiciat, nec ulla creatura me moveat vel respiciat; sed tu solus mihi loquaris, et ego tibi, sicut solet dilectus ad dilectum, loqui et amicus cum amico convivari? and|now|no one|me|may despise|nor|any|creature|me|may move|or|may look at|but|you|alone|to me|may speak|and|I|to you|as|is accustomed|beloved|to|beloved|to speak|and|friend|with|friend|to share a meal And now let no one despise me, nor let any creature move or regard me; but may you alone speak to me, and I to you, as the beloved speaks to the beloved, and as a friend dines with a friend? Hoc oro, hoc desidero, ut tibi totus uniar, et cor meum ab omnibus creatis rebus abstraham; magisque per sacram Communionem, ac frequentem celebrationem cælestia et æterna sapere discam. this|I pray|this|I desire|that|to you|whole|I may be united|and|heart|my|from|all|created|things|I may withdraw|and more|through|sacred|Communion|and|frequent|celebration|heavenly|and|eternal|to taste|I may learn This I pray, this I desire, that I may be wholly united to you, and that my heart may be withdrawn from all created things; and may I learn to taste the heavenly and eternal more through sacred Communion and frequent celebration. At, Domine Deus, quando ero tecum totus unitus et absorptus, meique totaliter oblitus? but|Lord|God|when|I will be|with you|totally|united|and|absorbed|and my|totally|forgotten But, Lord God, when will I be completely united and absorbed with you, and totally forget myself? Tu in me et ego in te et sic nos in unum pariter manere concede. you|in|me|and|I|in|you|and|thus|us|in|one|together|to remain|grant You in me and I in you, and thus allow us to remain together as one.

2\\. 2\. Vere, vere tu es dilectus meus, electus ex millibus, in quo complacuit animæ meæ habitare omnibus diebus vitæ suæ. truly|truly|you|you are|beloved|my|chosen|from|thousands|in|whom|it has pleased|to the soul|my|to dwell|all|days|of life|his Truly, truly you are my beloved, chosen from thousands, in whom my soul has delighted to dwell all the days of its life. Vere tu es pacificus meus, in quo pax summa et requies vera, extra quem labor et dolor et infinita miseria. truly|you|you are|peaceful|my|in|which|peace|greatest|and|rest|true|outside of|whom|labor|and|pain|and|infinite|misery Truly, you are my peacemaker, in whom there is supreme peace and true rest, outside of whom there is labor and pain and infinite misery. Vere tu es Deus absconditus, et consilium tuum non est cum impiis, sed cum humilibus et simplicibus sermo tuus. truly|you|you are|God|hidden|and|counsel|your|not|is|with|wicked|but|with|humble|and|simple|word|your Truly, you are the hidden God, and your counsel is not with the wicked, but your word is with the humble and simple. O, quam suavis est, Domine, spiritus tuus, qui, ut dulcedinem tuam in filios demonstrares, pane suavissimo de cælo descendente illos reficere dignaris. oh|how|sweet|is|Lord|spirit|your|who|that|sweetness|your|in|children|you would show|bread|sweetest|from|heaven|descending|them|to refresh|you deem worthy O, how sweet is, Lord, your spirit, who, in order to show your sweetness to the children, deigns to refresh them with the sweetest bread descending from heaven. Vere non est alia natio tam grandis, quæ habeat Deos appropinquante sibi, sicut tu, Deus noster, ades universis fidelibus tuis: quibus ob quotidianum solatium, et cor erigendum in cælum, te tribuis ad edendum et fruendum. truly|not|is|another|nation|so|great|that|has|gods|approaching|to itself|as|you|God|our|you are present|to all|faithful|your|to whom|for|daily|comfort|and|heart|to be lifted|to|heaven|you|you grant|for|to eat|and|to enjoy Truly, there is no other nation so great, that has gods so near to it, as you, our God, are present to all your faithful: to whom, for daily comfort and to lift their hearts to heaven, you grant to eat and enjoy.

3\\. 3\. Quæ est enim alia gens tam inclyta, sicut plebs Christiana? which|is|indeed|another|nation|so|renowned|as|people|Christian For what other nation is so renowned as the Christian people? Aut quæ creatura sub cælo tam dilecta ut anima devota, ad quam ingreditur Deus, ut pascat eam carne sua gloriosa? or|which|creature|under|heaven|so|beloved|as|soul|devoted|to|which|enters|God|to|feed|it|flesh|his|glorious Or what creature under heaven is so beloved as the devoted soul, to which God enters, to nourish it with his glorious flesh? O, ineffabilis gratia. O|ineffable|grace O, ineffable grace. O, admirabilis dignatio. O|admirable|dignity O, admirable dignity. O, amor immensus, homini singulariter impensus. O|love|immense|to man|singularly|bestowed O, immense love, uniquely bestowed upon man. Sed quid retribuam Domino pro gratia ista? But|what|shall I repay|to the Lord|for|grace|this But what shall I return to the Lord for this grace? pro charitate tam eximia? for|charity|so|exceptional For such extraordinary charity? Non est aliud quod gratius donare queam, quam ut cor meum Deo meo totaliter tribuam, et intime conjungam. not|is|other|that|more pleasing|to give|I can|than|that|heart|my|to God|my|totally|I give|and|intimately|I join There is nothing more pleasing that I can give than to totally dedicate my heart to my God and unite it intimately. Tunc exultabant omnia interiora mea, cum perfecte fuerit unita Deo anima mea. then|they were exulting|all|innermost parts|my|when|perfectly|it has been|united|to God|soul|my Then all my inner being rejoices when my soul is perfectly united with God. Tunc dicet mihi: Si tu vis esse mecum, ego volo esse tecum. then|he will say|to me|if|you|you want|to be|with me|I|I want|to be|with you Then He will say to me: If you wish to be with me, I want to be with you. Et ego respondebo illi: Dignare, Domine manere mecum, ego volo libenter esse tecum. and|I|I will answer|to him|deign|Lord|to stay|with me|I|I want|gladly|to be|with you And I will respond to Him: Lord, deign to stay with me, I willingly want to be with you. Hoc est totum desiderium meum, ut cor meum tibi sit unitum. this|is|whole|desire|my|that|heart|my|to you|may be|united This is all my desire, that my heart may be united to you.

Cap. Chapter Ch. 14. 14. De quorumdam devotorum ardenti desiderio ad Corpus Christi. about|certain|devotees|burning|desire|to|Body|of Christ On the fervent desire of certain devotees for the Body of Christ.

1\\. 1\. Quam magna multitudo dulcedinis tuæ, Domine, quam abscondisti timentibus te. how|great|multitude|of sweetness|your|Lord|how|you have hidden|to those fearing|you How great is the multitude of your sweetness, Lord, which you have hidden from those who fear you. Quando recordor devotorum aliquorum ad Sacramentum tuum, Domine, cum magna devotione, et affectu accendentium, tunc sæpius in memetipso confundor et erubesco, quod ad altare tuum et sacræ Communionis mensam tam tepide et frigide accedo, quod ita aridus sine devotione et affectione cordis maneo, et quod non sum totaliter accensus, coram te, Deo meo, nec ita vehementer attractus et affectionatus, sicut multi devoti fuerunt, qui præ nimio desiderio Communionis et sensibili cordis amore a fletu non potuerunt se continere. when|I remember|of the devoted|some|to|Sacrament|your|Lord|with|great|devotion|and|affection|of those kindling|then|often|in|myself|I am confused|and|I am ashamed|that|to|altar|your|and|sacred|Communion|table|so|lukewarmly|and|coldly|I approach|that|so|dry|without|devotion|and|affection|of the heart|I remain|and|that|not|I am|totally|kindled|before|you|God|my|nor|so|vehemently|drawn|and|affected|as|many|devoted|they have been|who|through|excessive|desire|Communion|and|sensible|of the heart|love|from|weeping|not|they could|themselves|to hold back When I remember some devoted individuals at your Sacrament, Lord, with great devotion and the affection of those who are on fire, then I often become confused and ashamed within myself, that I approach your altar and the table of sacred Communion so tepidly and coldly, that I remain so dry without devotion and affection of heart, and that I am not completely on fire before you, my God, nor so strongly drawn and affected, as many devoted ones have been, who, because of their excessive desire for Communion and the sensible love of their hearts, could not contain their tears. Sed ore cordis et corporis pariter ad te, fontem vivum, medullitus inhiabant, suam esuriem non valentes aliter temperare nec satiare, nisi Corpus tuum cum omni jucunditate et spirituali aviditate accepissent. but|with the mouth|of the heart|and|of the body|together|to|you|fountain|living|from the depths|they were longing|their|hunger|not|able|otherwise|to moderate|nor|to satisfy|unless|Body|your|with|all|joy|and|spiritual|eagerness|they had received But with the mouth of their hearts and bodies alike, they were thirsting for you, the living fountain, unable to temper or satisfy their hunger in any other way, except by receiving your Body with all joy and spiritual eagerness.

2\\. 2\. O, vere ardens fides eorum probabile existens argumentum sacræ præsentiæ tuæ. O|truly|burning|faith|of them|probable|existing|argument|sacred|presence|of you O, truly burning faith of theirs, a probable argument of your sacred presence. Isti enim veraciter cognoscunt Dominum suum in fractione panis, quorum cor tam valide ardet in eis de Jesu ambulante cum eis. they|for|truly|they know|Lord|their|in|breaking|bread|whose|heart|so|strongly|it burns|in|them|about|Jesus|walking|with|them For they truly know their Lord in the breaking of bread, whose hearts burn so strongly within them as Jesus walks with them. Longe, proh dolor, est a me sæpe talis affectus, et devotio tam vehemens ardor. far|alas|pain|it is|from|me|often|such|feeling|and|devotion|so|intense|fervor Alas, such feelings and such fervent devotion are often far from me. Esto mihi propitius, bone Jesu, et dulcis et benigne; concede pauperi mendico tuo vel interdum modicum de cordiali affectione amoris tui in sacra Communione sentire, ut fides mea magis convalescat, spes in bonitate tua proficiat, et charitas semel perfecte accensa et cæleste manna experta, nunquam deficiat. be|to me|favorable|good|Jesus|and|sweet|and|kindly|grant|to the poor|beggar|your|even|sometimes|a little|of|heartfelt|affection|of love|your|in|holy|Communion|to feel|that|faith|my|more|may grow strong|hope|in|goodness|your|may progress|and|charity|once|perfectly|kindled|and|heavenly|manna|experienced|never|may fail Be favorable to me, good Jesus, sweet and kind; grant your poor beggar, even sometimes, a little of the heartfelt affection of your love in the holy Communion, so that my faith may grow stronger, my hope may progress in your goodness, and charity, once perfectly kindled and having experienced heavenly manna, may never fail.

3\\. 3. Potens est autem misericordia tua etiam gratiam desideratam mihi præstare, et in spiritu ardoris, cum dies beneplaciti tui adveniret, me clementissime visitare. powerful|is|however|mercy|your|also|grace|desired|to me|to grant|and|in|spirit|of fervor|when|day|of your good pleasure|your|would arrive|to me|most mercifully|to visit Your mercy is powerful enough to grant me the grace I desire, and in the spirit of fervor, when the day of your good pleasure arrives, to visit me most kindly. Etenim licet tanto desiderio tam specialium devotorum tuorum non ardeo, tamen de gratia tua illius magni inflamati desiderii desiderium habeo: orans et desiderans omnium talium fervidorum amatorum tuorum participem me fieri, ac eorum sancto consortio annumerari. indeed|although|such a great|desire|so|special|of devotees|your|not|I burn|nevertheless|from|grace|your|of that|great|inflamed|desire|desire|I have|praying|and|desiring|of all|such|fervent|lovers|your|participant|to me|to become|and|of them|holy|fellowship|to be counted Indeed, although I do not burn with such a great desire as those of your special devotees, I still have the desire of that great inflamed longing from your grace: praying and longing to be made a participant among all such fervent lovers of yours, and to be counted among their holy company.

Cap. chapter Chapter. 15. 15. Quod gratia devotionis humilitate, et sui ipsius abnegatine acquiritur. that|grace|of devotion|humility|and|of self|of himself|self-denial|is acquired Which is acquired by the grace of devotion through humility and self-denial.

1\\. 1. Oportet te devotionis gratiam instanter quærere, desideranter petere, patienter et fiducialiter exspectare, gratanter recipere, humiliter conservare, studiose cum ea operari, ac Deo tempus et modum supernæ visitationis, donec veniat, committere. it is necessary|you|of devotion|grace|urgently|to seek|desiring|to ask|patiently|and|confidently|to wait|gratefully|to receive|humbly|to keep|diligently|with|it|to work|and|to God|time|and|manner|of heavenly|visitation|until|it comes|to entrust You must urgently seek the grace of devotion, desiring to ask for it, patiently and confidently waiting for it, gratefully receiving it, humbly keeping it, diligently working with it, and committing to God the time and manner of heavenly visitation, until it comes. Humiliare præcipue te debes, cum parum, aut nihil devotionis interius sentis, sed non nimium dejici, nec inordinate contristari. to humble yourself|especially|you|you must|when|little|or|nothing|of devotion|inwardly|you feel|but|not|too much|to be cast down|nor|excessively|to be saddened You should especially humble yourself when you feel little or no devotion within, but do not become too dejected or excessively saddened. Dat sæpe Deus in uno brevi momento, quod longo negavit tempore. he gives|often|God|in|one|brief|moment|that|long|he denied|time God often gives in one brief moment what He has denied for a long time. Dat quandoque in fine, quod in principio orationis distulit dare. he gives|sometimes|in|end|that|in|beginning|of prayer|he delayed|to give Sometimes He delays giving at the beginning of prayer, but grants it at the end.

2\\. 2\. Si semper cito gratia daretur, et pro voto adesset, non esset infirmo homini bene portabile. if|always|quickly|grace|would be given|and|for|wish|would be present|not|would be|weak|man|well|bearable If grace were always given quickly, and was present according to desire, it would not be bearable for a weak man. Propterea in bona spe et humili patientia exspectanda est devotionis gratia. therefore|in|good|hope|and|humble|patience|to be awaited|is|of devotion|grace Therefore, the grace of devotion must be awaited in good hope and humble patience. Tibi tamen, et peccatis tuis imputa, cum non datur vel etiam occulte tolitur. to you|however|and|sins|your|I attribute|when|not|is given|or|even|secretly|is taken away However, attribute it to yourself and your sins, when it is not given or is even secretly taken away. Modicum quandoque est quod gratiam impedit et abscondit, si tamen modicum et non potius grande dici debeatur, quod tantum bonum prohibet. a little|sometimes|it is|that|grace|it hinders|and|it hides|if|however|a little|and|not|rather|big|to be said|it should be|that|only|good|it prohibits Sometimes there is a small thing that hinders and hides grace, if it should be called small and not rather great, which only prohibits good. Sed si hoc ipsum modicum vel grande amoveris et perfecte viceris, erit quod petiisti. but|if|this|very|little|or|big|you have removed|and|perfectly|you have conquered|it will be|that|you have sought But if you remove this very small or great thing and perfectly conquer it, you will have what you sought.

3\\. 3. Statim namque ut te Deo ex toto corde tradideris, nec hoc vel illud pro tuo libitu seu velle quæsieris, sed integre te in illo posueris, unitum te invenies et pacatum, quia nihil ita tibi sapiet et placebit, sicut beneplacitum divinæ voluntatis. immediately|for|when|you|to God|from|whole|heart|you have entrusted|and not|this|or|that|for|your|desire|or|will|you have sought|but|wholly|yourself|in|him|you have placed|united|yourself|you will find|and|peaceful|because|nothing|so|to you|it will taste|and|it will please|as|good pleasure|divine|will For as soon as you have completely entrusted yourself to God with all your heart, and have not sought this or that according to your own desire or will, but have placed yourself wholly in Him, you will find yourself united and at peace, because nothing will taste or please you as much as the good pleasure of divine will. Quisquis ergo intentionem suam simplici corde sursum ad Deum levaverit, seque ab omni inordinato amore, seu displicentia cujuslibet rei creatæ evacuaverit, aptissimus gratiæ percipiendæ, ac dignus devotionis munere erit: dat enim Dominus ibi benedictionem suam, ubi vasa vacua invenerit, et quanto perfectius infimis quis renunciaverit, et magis sibi ipsi per contemtum sui moritur, tanto gratia celerius enit, copiosius intrat, et altius cor liberum elevat. whoever|therefore|intention|his|simple|heart|upward|to|God|he will have lifted|and he himself|from|all|disordered|love|or|displeasure|of any|thing|created|he will have emptied|most suitable|grace|to be received|and|worthy|of devotion|gift|he will be|he gives|for|Lord|there|blessing|his|where|vessels|empty|he will have found|and|as much as|more perfectly|to the lowest things|whoever|he will have renounced|and|more|to himself|himself|through|contempt|of himself|he dies|so much|grace|more quickly|it shines|more abundantly|it enters|and|higher|heart|free|it lifts up Whoever therefore raises his intention simply to God with a pure heart, and frees himself from all disordered love or displeasure for any created thing, will be most suitable for receiving grace and worthy of the gift of devotion: for the Lord gives His blessing where He finds empty vessels, and the more perfectly one renounces worldly things and dies to himself through contempt of self, the more swiftly grace shines forth, enters more abundantly, and lifts the free heart higher.

4\\. 4. Tunc videbit et affluet et mirabitur et dilatabitur cor ejus in ipso, quia manus Domini cum illo est, et ipse se posuit totaliter in manu ejus usque in sæculum. then|he will see|and|it will abound|and|he will marvel|and|it will be enlarged|heart|his|in|it|because|hand|of the Lord|with|him|it is|and|he|himself|he has placed|totally|in|hand|of him|until|in|age Then he will see and will overflow and will marvel, and his heart will be enlarged in Him, because the hand of the Lord is with him, and he has placed himself entirely in His hand forever. Ecce sic benedicetur homo, qui quærit Deum in toto corde suo, nec in vanum accipit animam suam. behold|thus|he will be blessed|man|who|seeks|God|in|whole|heart|his|nor|in|vain|he takes|soul|his Behold, thus will the man be blessed who seeks God with all his heart, nor does he take his soul in vain. Hic in accipiendo sacram Eucharistiam magnam promeretur divinæ unionis gratiam, quia non respicit ad propriam devotionem et consolationem, sed ad Dei gloriam et honorem. here|in|receiving|sacred|Eucharist|great|he merits|divine|union|grace|because|not|he looks|to|own|devotion|and|consolation|but|to|God's|glory|and|honor Here, in receiving the sacred Eucharist, one greatly merits the grace of divine union, because one does not look to one's own devotion and consolation, but to the glory and honor of God.

Cap. Chapter Chapter. 16. 16. Quod necessitates nostras Christo aperire debemus et ejus gratiam postulare. which|necessities|our|to Christ|to open|we must|and|his|grace|to ask That we must open our necessities to Christ and ask for His grace.

1\\. 1\. Dulcissime atque amantissime Domine, quem nunc devote desidero suscipere, tu scis infirmitatem meam et necessitatem quam patior, in quantis malis et vitiis jaceo; quam sæpe sum gravatus, tentatus, turbatus et inquinatus. sweetest|and|most loving|Lord|whom|now|devotedly|I desire|to receive|you|you know|weakness|my|and|need|which|I suffer|in|how many|evils|and|vices|I lie|how|often|I am|burdened|tempted|troubled|and|stained Sweetest and most loving Lord, whom I now devoutly desire to receive, you know my weakness and the need I suffer, in how many evils and vices I lie; how often I have been burdened, tempted, troubled, and defiled. Pro remedio ad te venio, pro consolatione et sublevamine te deprecor: ad omnia scientem loquor, cui manifesta sunt omnia interiora mea, et qui solus potes me perfecte consolare et adjuvare. for|remedy|to|you|I come|for|consolation|and|relief|you|I beseech|to|all|knowing|I speak|to whom|manifest|they are|all|innermost|my|and|who|alone|you can|me|perfectly|to console|and|to help I come to you for remedy, I beseech you for consolation and relief: I speak to you who know all, to whom all my innermost thoughts are manifest, and who alone can perfectly console and help me. Tu scis quibus bonis indigeo præ omnibus et quam pauper sum in virtutibus. you|you know|what|goods|I need|before|all|and|how|poor|I am|in|virtues You know what goods I need above all and how poor I am in virtues.

2\\. 2\. Ecce sto ante te pauper et nudus, gratiam postulans et misericordiam implorans: refice esurientem mendicum tuum, accende frigiditatem meam igne amoris tui, illumina cæcitatem meam claritate præsentiæ tuæ. behold|I stand|before|you|poor|and|naked|grace|asking|and|mercy|imploring|restore|hungry|beggar|your|ignite|coldness|my|with fire|of love|your|illuminate|blindness|my|with clarity|of presence|your Behold, I stand before you poor and naked, asking for grace and imploring mercy: restore your hungry beggar, ignite my coldness with the fire of your love, illuminate my blindness with the brightness of your presence. Verte mihi omnia terrena in amaritudinem, omnia gravia et contraria in patientiam, omnia infima et creata in contemtum et oblivionem. turn|to me|all|earthly|into|bitterness|all|heavy|and|contrary|into|patience|all|low|and|created|into|contempt|and|oblivion Turn all earthly things to bitterness for me, all heavy and contrary things to patience, all lowly and created things to contempt and forgetfulness. Erige cor meum ad te in cælum, et ne dimittas me vagari super terram. raise|heart|my|to|you|in|heaven|and|not|you let|me|to wander|upon|earth Lift my heart to you in heaven, and do not let me wander upon the earth. Tu solus mihi ex hoc jam dulcescas usque in sæculum, quia tu solus cibus et potus meus, amor meus et gaudium meum, dulcedo mea et totum bonum meum. you|alone|to me|from|this|now|you may sweeten|even|in|age|because|you|alone|food|and|drink|my|love|my|and|joy|my|sweetness|my|and|all|good|my You alone may sweeten me from this time on until eternity, for you alone are my food and drink, my love and my joy, my sweetness and my entire good.

3\\. 3. Utinam me totaliter ex tua præsentia accends, comburas, et in te transmutes: ut unus tecum efficiar spiritus per gratiam internæ unionis, et liquefactionem ardentis amoris. would that|to me|totally|from|your|presence|you may ignite|you may burn|and|into|you|you may transform|that|one|with you|I may become|spirit|through|grace|internal|union|and|liquefaction|burning|love Would that you would completely ignite me from your presence, burn me, and transform me into you: that I may become one spirit with you through the grace of internal union and the liquefaction of burning love. Ne patiaris me jejunum et aridum a te recedere, sed operare mecum misericorditer, sicut sæpius expertus es cum Sanctis tuis mirabiliter. not|you may allow|me|hungry|and|dry|from|you|to depart|but|work|with me|mercifully|as|often|I have experienced|you are|with|Saints|your|wonderfully Do not allow me to depart from you hungry and dry, but work mercifully with me, as you have often done wonderfully with your Saints. Quid mirum si totus ex te cognoscerem, et in me ipso deficerem, cum tu sis ignis semper ardens et nunquam deficiens, amor corda purificans et intellectum illuminans. what|wonder|if|all|from|you|I would know|and|in|myself|very|I would fail|when|you|you are|fire|always|burning|and|never|failing|love|hearts|purifying|and|understanding|illuminating What is surprising if I were to know everything from you, and I were to fail in myself, since you are a fire always burning and never failing, love purifying hearts and illuminating the mind.

Cap. Chapter Chapter. 17. 17. De ardenti amore, et desiderio vehementi suscipiendi Christum. On|burning|love|and|desire|vehement|of receiving|Christ On burning love, and the vehement desire to receive Christ.

1\\. 1\. Cum summa devotione et ardenti amore cum toto cordis affectu et fervore desidero te, Domine; quemadmodum multi Sancti et devotæ personæ in communicando et desideraverunt, qui tibi maxime in sanctitate vitæ placuerunt, et in ardentissima devotione fuerunt. with|utmost|devotion|and|burning|love|with|whole|heart|affection|and|fervor|I desire|you|Lord|just as|many|Saints|and|devoted|persons|in|sharing|and|they desired|who|to you|most|in|holiness|life|they pleased|and|in|most ardent|devotion|they were With the utmost devotion and burning love, with all the affection of my heart and fervor, I desire you, Lord; just as many Saints and devout persons have desired to commune with you, who have pleased you most in the holiness of life, and have been in the most ardent devotion. O Deus meus, amor æternus, totum bonum meum, felicitas interminabilis: cupio te suscipere cum vehementissimo desiderio et dignissima reverentia, quam aliquis Sanctorum unquam habuit et sentire potuit. O|God|my|love|eternal|all|good|my|happiness|unending|I desire|you|to receive|with|most vehement|desire|and|most worthy|reverence|which|someone|of the Saints|ever|he had|and|to feel|he could O my God, eternal love, my whole good, endless happiness: I long to receive you with the most vehement desire and the most worthy reverence that any of the Saints ever had and could feel.

2\\. 2\. Et licet indignus sum omnia illa sentimenta devotionis habere, tamen offero tibi totum cordis mei affectum, ac si omnia illa gratissime inflammata desideria solus haberem. and|although|unworthy|I am|all|those|feelings|of devotion|to have|nevertheless|I offer|to you|whole|of my heart|my|affection|and|if|all|those|most gladly|inflamed|desires|alone|I would have And although I am unworthy to have all those feelings of devotion, I still offer you the whole affection of my heart, as if I alone had all those most fervent desires. Sed et quæcumque potest pia mens concipere et desiderare, hæc omnia tibi cum summa veneratione et intimo servore præbeo et offero. but|and|whatever|can|pious|mind|to conceive|and|to desire|these|all|to you|with|utmost|reverence|and|intimate|servant|I present|and|I offer But whatever a pious mind can conceive and desire, I present and offer all these things to you with the utmost reverence and intimate service. Nihil opto reservare mihi, sed me et omnia mea tibi sponte et libentissime immolare. nothing|I wish|to reserve|for myself|but|myself|and|all|my|to you|willingly|and|most gladly|to offer I wish to reserve nothing for myself, but to willingly and gladly dedicate myself and all that is mine to you. Domine Deus meus, creator meus et redemtor meus, cum tali gratitudine, dignitate et amore, cum tali spe, fide, et puritate affecto te hodie suscipere, sicut te suscepti et desideravit sanctissima Mater tua, gloriosa Virgo Maria, quando Angelo evangelizanti sibi incarnationis tuæ mysterium humiliter et devote respondit: Ecce ancilla Domini, fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum. Lord|God|my|creator|my|and|redeemer|my|with|such|gratitude|dignity|and|love|with|such|hope|faith|and|purity|I intend|you|today|to receive|as|you|I received|and|she desired|most holy|mother|your|glorious|virgin|Mary|when|angel|announcing|to her|of your incarnation|your|mystery|humbly|and|devotedly|she answered|behold|handmaid|of the Lord|let it be done|to me|according to|word|your Lord my God, my creator and my redeemer, with such gratitude, dignity, and love, with such hope, faith, and purity, I wish to receive you today, as your most holy Mother, the glorious Virgin Mary, received and desired you when she humbly and devoutly responded to the angel announcing the mystery of your incarnation: Behold the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word.

3\\. 3. Et sicut beatus Præcursor tuus excellentissimus Sanctorum, Johannes Baptista, in præsentia tua lætabundus exultavit in gaudio Spiritus Sancti, dum adhuc maternis clauderetur visceribus. and|as|blessed|precursor|your|most excellent|of Saints|John|the Baptist|in|presence|your|rejoicing|he exulted|in|joy|of the Spirit|Holy|while|still|maternal|he was being enclosed|in womb And just as your most excellent precursor of the Saints, John the Baptist, joyfully rejoiced in the presence of you in the joy of the Holy Spirit, while still enclosed in his mother's womb. Et postmodum cernens inter homines Jesum ambulantem, valde se humilians, devoto cum affectu dicebat: Amicus autem sponsi, qui stat et audit cum gaudio, gaudet propter vocem sponsi: sic et ego magnis et sacris desideriis opto inflammari, et tibi ex toto corde me ipsum præsentare. and|afterwards|seeing|among|men|Jesus|walking|very|himself|humbling|devoted|with|affection|he said|friend|however|of the bridegroom|who|stands|and|hears|with|joy|he rejoices|because of|voice|of the bridegroom|thus|and|I|great|and|holy|desires|I wish|to be inflamed|and|to you|from|whole|heart|myself|myself|to present And afterwards, seeing Jesus walking among men, greatly humbling himself, he said with devoted affection: 'The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice: thus I also wish to be inflamed with great and sacred desires, and to present myself to you with all my heart.' Unde et omnium devotorum cordium jubilationes, ardentes affectus, mentales excessus, ac supernales illuminationes et cælica visiones tibi offero et exhibeo cum omnibus virtutibus et laudibus, ab omni creatura in cælo et in terra celebratis et celebrandis, pro me et omnibus mihi in oratione commendatis, quatenus ab omnibus digne lauderis, et in perpetuum glorificeris. therefore|and|of all|devoted|hearts|jubilations|burning|affections|mental|excesses|and|heavenly|illuminations|and|celestial|visions|to you|I offer|and|I present|with|all|virtues|and|praises|from|every|creature|in|heaven|and|in|earth|celebrated|and|to be celebrated|for|me|and|all|to me|in|prayer|commended|so that|from|all|worthily|you may be praised|and|in|forever|you may be glorified Therefore, I offer and present to you the jubilations of all devoted hearts, burning affections, mental ecstasies, as well as heavenly illuminations and celestial visions, with all virtues and praises, celebrated and to be celebrated by all creatures in heaven and on earth, for myself and for all those commended to me in prayer, so that you may be worthily praised by all, and glorified forever.

4\\. 4. Accipe vota mea, Domine Deus meus, et desideria infinitæ laudationis et immensæ benedictionis, quætibi secundum multitudinem ineffabilis magnitudinis tuæ jure debentur. receive|vows|my|Lord|God|my|and|desires|infinite|praise|and|immense|blessing||according to|multitude|ineffable|greatness|your|by right|they are owed Receive my vows, Lord my God, and the desires of infinite praise and immense blessing, which are justly owed to you according to the multitude of your ineffable greatness. Hæc tibi reddo et reddere desidero per singulos dies et momenta temporum, atque ad reddendum mecum tibi gratias et laudes, omnes cælestes spiritus et cunctos fideles tuos precibus et affectibus invito et exoro. these|to you|I return|and|to return|I desire|through|each|day|and|moments|of time|and|to|to return|with me|to you|thanks|and|praises|all|heavenly|spirits|and|all|faithful|your|prayers|and|affections|I invite|and|I beseech I offer these to you and desire to offer them every day and moment of time, and to give thanks and praises to you, I invite and beseech all heavenly spirits and all your faithful with my prayers and affections.

5\\. 5. Laudent te universi populi, tribus, et linguæ, et sanctum et mellifluum nomen tuum cum summa devotione et ardenti jubilatione magnificent. let them praise|you|all|peoples|tribes|and|languages|and|holy|and|honey-sweet|name|your|with|utmost|devotion|and|burning|jubilation|they magnify May all peoples, tribes, and languages praise you, and may they with the utmost devotion and fervent jubilation magnify your holy and sweet name. Et quicumque reverenter ac devote altissimum Sacramentum tuum celebrant et plena fide recipiunt, gratiam et misericordiam apud te invenire mereantur, et pro me peccatore suppliciter exorent. and|whoever|reverently|and|devoutly|most high|Sacrament|your|they celebrate|and|full|faith|they receive|grace|and|mercy|with|you|to find|they may deserve|and|for|me|sinner|humbly|they may pray And whoever reverently and devoutly celebrates your most high Sacrament and receives it with full faith, may they deserve to find grace and mercy with you, and may they humbly intercede for me, a sinner. Cumque optata devotione ac fruibili unione potiti fuerint, et bene consolati, ac mirifice refecti de sacra mensa cælesti abscesserint mei pauperis recordari dignentur. and when|desired|devotion|and|fruitful|union|having obtained|they will have been|and|well|having been consoled|and|wonderfully|having been refreshed|from|sacred|table|heavenly|they will have departed|of my|poor|to remember|they may be worthy And when they have obtained the desired devotion and fruitful union, and have been well consoled and wonderfully refreshed from the sacred heavenly table, may they deign to remember my poor self.

Cap. Chapter Cap. 18. 18. Quod homo non sit curiosus scrutator Sacramenti, sed humilis imitator Christi, subdendo sensum suum sacræ fidei. that|man|not|may be|curious|investigator|of the Sacrament|but|humble|imitator|of Christ|by submitting|understanding|his|sacred|of faith That man should not be a curious investigator of the Sacrament, but a humble imitator of Christ, submitting his understanding to the sacred faith.

1\\. 1. Cavendum est tibi a curiosa et inutili perscrutatione hujus profundissimi Sacramenti, si non vis in dubitationis profundum mergi. must be taken care|it is|to you|from|curious|and|useless|investigation|of this|most profound|of the Sacrament|if|not|you want|in|of doubt|depth|to sink You must beware of curious and useless investigation of this most profound Sacrament, if you do not wish to be plunged into the depths of doubt. Qui scrutator est majestatis, opprimetur a gloria. who|investigator|is|of majesty|will be oppressed|by|glory He who is a seeker of majesty will be overwhelmed by glory. Plus valet Deus operari, quam homo intelligere potest. more|is worth|God|to work|than|man|to understand|is able God's ability to act is worth more than what man can understand. Tolerabilis est pia et humilis inquisitio veritatis, parata semper doceri, et super sanas Patrum sententias studentis ambulare. tolerable|is|pious|and|humble|inquiry|of truth|ready|always|to be taught|and|upon|sound|of the Fathers|opinions|while studying|to walk A pious and humble inquiry into the truth is tolerable, always ready to be taught, and walking in accordance with the sound opinions of the Fathers.

2\\. 2\. Beata simplicitas, quæ difficiles quæstionum relinquit vias, et plana ac firma pergit semita mandatorum Dei. blessed|simplicity|which|difficult|questions|leaves|ways|and|plain|and|firm|continues|path|of commandments|of God Blessed simplicity, which leaves behind the difficult paths of questions, and proceeds along the clear and firm way of God's commandments. Multi devotionem perdiderunt, dum altiora scrutari voluerunt. many|devotion|have lost|while|higher|to search|they wanted Many have lost their devotion while wanting to explore higher things. Fides a te exigitur et sincera vita, non altitudo intellectus, neque profunditas mysteriorum Dei. faith|from|you|is required|and|sincere|life|not|height|of understanding|nor|depth|of mysteries|of God Faith is required of you and a sincere life, not the height of understanding, nor the depth of God's mysteries. Si non intelligis nec capis quæ infra te sunt, quomodo comprehendes quæ supra te sunt. if|not|you understand|nor|you grasp|what|below|you|are|how|you will comprehend|what|above|you|are If you do not understand or grasp what is below you, how will you comprehend what is above you? Subdere Deo et humilia sensum tuum fidei, et dabitur tibi scientiæ lumen, prout tibi fuerit utile et necessarium. to submit|to God|and|humble|your mind|your|to faith|and|it will be given|to you|of knowledge|light|as|to you|it will have been|useful|and|necessary Submit to God and humble your mind in faith, and the light of knowledge will be given to you, as it will be useful and necessary for you.

3\\. 3. Quidam graviter tentantur de fide ac Sacramento, sed non est hoc ipsis imputandum, sed potius inimico. some|seriously|they are tempted|about|faith|and|Sacrament|but|not|it is|this|to them|to be imputed|but|rather|to the enemy Some are severely tempted regarding faith and the Sacrament, but this should not be attributed to them, but rather to the enemy. Noli curare, noli disputare cum cogitationibus tuis, nec ad immissas a diabolo disputationes et dubitationes responde. do not|to care|do not|to dispute|with|thoughts|your|nor|to|sent|by|the devil|disputes|and|doubts|to respond Do not worry, do not argue with your thoughts, nor respond to the disputes and doubts sent by the devil. Sed crede verbis Dei. but|believe|words|of God But believe the words of God. Crede Sanctis ejus et prophetis, et fugiet a te nequam inimicus. believe|Saints|his|and|prophets|and|will flee|from|you|wicked|enemy Believe His saints and prophets, and the wicked enemy will flee from you. Sæpe enim ultum prodest, quod sustinet talia servus Dei. often|for|revenge|is beneficial|that|endures|such things|servant|of God For often it is beneficial to avenge what the servant of God endures. Nam infideles et peccatores non tentat, quos secure jam possidet: Fideles autem devotos variis modis tentat et vexat. for|unbelievers|and|sinners|not|he tempts|whom|safely|already|he possesses|faithful|however|devoted|various|ways|he tempts|and|he harasses For the unfaithful and sinners he does not tempt, whom he already securely possesses: but the faithful and devoted he tempts and harasses in various ways.

4\\. 4. Perge ergo cum simplici et indubitata fide, et cum simplici reverentia ad Sacramentum accede. go on|therefore|with|simple|and|undoubting|faith|and|with|simple|reverence|to|Sacrament|approach Therefore, proceed with simple and undoubted faith, and approach the Sacrament with simple reverence. Quidquid intelligere non vales, Deo omnipotenti secure committe. whatever|to understand|not|you are able|to God|almighty|confidently|commit Whatever you cannot understand, confidently entrust it to Almighty God. Non fallit te Deus; fallitur qui sibi nimium credit. not|deceives|you|God|is deceived|who|to himself|too much|believes God does not deceive you; he who trusts too much in himself is deceived. Graditur Deus cum simplicibus, revelat se humilibus, dat intellectum parvulis, aperit sensum puris mentibus, et abscondit gratiam curiosis et superbis. he walks|God|with|the simple|he reveals|himself|to the humble|he gives|understanding|to the little ones|he opens|sense|to the pure|minds|and|he hides|grace|to the curious|and|to the proud God walks with the simple, reveals Himself to the humble, gives understanding to the little ones, opens the mind to the pure, and hides grace from the curious and the proud. Ratio humana debilis est, et falli potest; fides autem vera falli non potest. reason|human|weak|it is|and|to be deceived|it can|||||| Human reason is weak and can be deceived; true faith, however, cannot be deceived.

5\\. 5\. Omnis ratio et naturalis investigatio fidem sequi debet, non præcedere, nec infringere. every|reason|and|natural|investigation|faith|to follow|it must|not|to precede|nor|to infringe All reason and natural investigation must follow faith, not precede it, nor infringe upon it. Nam fides et amor ibi maxime præcellunt, et occultis modis in hoc sanctissimo et superexcellentissimo Sacramento operantur. for|faith|and|love|there|most|they excel|and|hidden|ways|in|this|most holy|and|most excellent|sacrament|they operate For faith and love excel there most, and work in hidden ways in this most holy and superlative Sacrament. Deus æternus, et immensus, infinitæque potentiæ, facit magna et inscrutabilia in cælo et in terra; nec est investigatio mirabilium opera ejus. God|eternal|and|immense|and infinite|of power|he does|great|and|inscrutable|in|heaven|and|in|earth|nor|there is|investigation|of marvelous|works|his The eternal and immense God, of infinite power, does great and inscrutable things in heaven and on earth; nor is there any investigation of his marvelous works. Si talia essent opera Dei, ut facile ab humana ratione caperentur, non essent mirabilia nec inscrutabilia dicenda. if|such|they were|works|of God|that|easily|by|human|reason|they could be grasped|not|they would be|marvelous|nor|inscrutable|to be called If such were the works of God, that they could be easily grasped by human reason, they would not be called marvelous or inscrutable.