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Chapter companions for The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis.

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  1. Chapter 1

    Dedication

    The author dedicates the volume to the Rev. Craufurd Tait, reflecting on his ordination and expressing hope that the Spirit which inspired the original author will continue to inspire him and the Church.

  2. Chapter 2

    The Imitation of Christ

    This opening chapter calls the reader to follow Christ by despising worldly vanities and embracing humility. It contrasts the fleeting nature of human glory with the eternal truth of the Gospel, urging a life of interior peace and self-denial.

  3. Chapter 3

    Book I: Admonitions Profitable for the Spiritual Life

    This opening chapter introduces the foundational call to imitate Christ and despise the vanities of the world, emphasizing humility, self-denial, and the pursuit of interior spiritual life over worldly knowledge.

  4. Chapter 4

    With how great reverence Christ must be received

    The Disciple reflects on the awe and reverence required to receive Christ in the Eucharist, contrasting his own unworthiness with the devotion of biblical figures like Noah, Moses, Solomon, and David. He meditates on Christ's gracious invitation to all who labor and are heavy laden, and laments the lukewarmness of those who neglect this sacred mystery.

  5. Chapter 5

    II

    The Disciple reflects on the greatness and charity of God shown in the Sacrament, expressing humility and gratitude for the gift of Christ's Body and Blood, and meditating on the profound mystery of the Eucharist.

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  1. Chapter 6That it is profitable to Communicate often
  2. Chapter 7IV
  3. Chapter 8Of the dignity of this Sacrament, and of the office of the priest
  4. Chapter 9An Inquiry Concerning Preparation for Communion
  5. Chapter 10Of the Examination of Conscience, and Purpose of Amendment
  6. Chapter 11Of the Oblation of Christ upon the Cross, and of Resignation of Self
  7. Chapter 12IX
  8. Chapter 13That Holy Communion is not lightly to be omitted
  9. Chapter 14XI
  10. Chapter 15That he who is about to Communicate with Christ ought to prepare himself with great diligence
  11. Chapter 16That the devout soul ought with the whole heart to yearn after union with Christ in the Sacrament
  12. Chapter 17Of the fervent desire of certain devout persons to receive the Body and Blood of Christ
  13. Chapter 18That the grace of devotion is acquired by humility and self-denial
  14. Chapter 19XVI
  15. Chapter 20Of Fervent Love and Vehement Desire of Receiving Christ
  16. Chapter 21That a man should not be a curious searcher of the Sacrament, but a humble imitator of Christ, submitting his sense to holy faith
  17. Chapter 22Of bearing injuries, and who shall be approved as truly patient
  18. Chapter 23Of Confession of Our Infirmity and of the Miseries of This Life
  19. Chapter 24XXI
  20. Chapter 25Of the recollection of God's manifold benefits
  21. Chapter 26Of four things which bring great peace
  22. Chapter 27Of Avoiding Curious Inquiry into the Life of Another
  23. Chapter 28XXV
  24. Chapter 29Book II: Admonitions Concerning the Inner Life
  25. Chapter 30With how great reverence Christ must be received
  26. Chapter 31II
  27. Chapter 32That it is profitable to Communicate often
  28. Chapter 33IV
  29. Chapter 34Of the dignity of this Sacrament, and of the office of the priest
  30. Chapter 35An Inquiry Concerning Preparation for Communion
  31. Chapter 36Of the Examination of Conscience, and Purpose of Amendment
  32. Chapter 37Of the Oblation of Christ upon the Cross, and of Resignation of Self
  33. Chapter 38IX
  34. Chapter 39That Holy Communion is not lightly to be omitted
  35. Chapter 40XI
  36. Chapter 41That he who is about to Communicate with Christ ought to prepare himself with great diligence
  37. Chapter 42Book III: On Inward Consolation
  38. Chapter 43With how great reverence Christ must be received
  39. Chapter 44II
  40. Chapter 45That it is profitable to Communicate often
  41. Chapter 46IV
  42. Chapter 47Of the dignity of this Sacrament, and of the office of the priest
  43. Chapter 48An Inquiry Concerning Preparation for Communion
  44. Chapter 49Of the Examination of Conscience, and Purpose of Amendment
  45. Chapter 50Of the Oblation of Christ upon the Cross, and of Resignation of Self
  46. Chapter 51IX
  47. Chapter 52That Holy Communion is not lightly to be omitted
  48. Chapter 53XI
  49. Chapter 54That he who is about to Communicate with Christ ought to prepare himself with great diligence
  50. Chapter 55That the devout soul ought with the whole heart to yearn after union with Christ in the Sacrament
  51. Chapter 56Of the fervent desire of certain devout persons to receive the Body and Blood of Christ
  52. Chapter 57That the grace of devotion is acquired by humility and self-denial
  53. Chapter 58XVI
  54. Chapter 59Of Fervent Love and Vehement Desire of Receiving Christ
  55. Chapter 60That a man should not be a curious searcher of the Sacrament, but a humble imitator of Christ, submitting his sense to holy faith
  56. Chapter 61Of bearing injuries, and who shall be approved as truly patient
  57. Chapter 62Of Confession of Our Infirmity and of the Miseries of This Life
  58. Chapter 63XXI
  59. Chapter 64Of the recollection of God's manifold benefits
  60. Chapter 65Of four things which bring great peace
  61. Chapter 66Of Avoiding Curious Inquiry into the Life of Another
  62. Chapter 67XXV
  63. Chapter 68Of the exaltation of a free spirit, which humble prayer more deserveth than doth frequent reading
  64. Chapter 69XXVII
  65. Chapter 70Against the Tongues of Detractors
  66. Chapter 71XXIX
  67. Chapter 72Of Seeking Divine Help, and the Confidence of Obtaining Grace
  68. Chapter 73Of the neglect of every creature, that the Creator may be found
  69. Chapter 74Of Self-Denial, and the Casting Away All Selfishness
  70. Chapter 75Of Instability of the Heart, and of Directing the Aim Towards God
  71. Chapter 76That to him who loveth God is sweet above all things and in all things
  72. Chapter 77XXXV
  73. Chapter 78Against Vain Judgments of Men
  74. Chapter 79Of pure and entire resignation of self, for the obtaining liberty of heart
  75. Chapter 80Of a good government in external things, and of having recourse to God in dangers
  76. Chapter 81XXXIX
  77. Chapter 82That Man Hath No Good in Himself, and Nothing Whereof to Glory
  78. Chapter 83Of Contempt of All Temporal Honour
  79. Chapter 84XLII
  80. Chapter 85Against Vain and Worldly Knowledge
  81. Chapter 86Of not troubling ourselves about outward things
  82. Chapter 87XLV
  83. Chapter 88Of having confidence in God when evil words are cast at us
  84. Chapter 89That all troubles are to be endured for the sake of eternal life
  85. Chapter 90Of the Day of Eternity and of the Straitnesses of This Life
  86. Chapter 91Of the desire after eternal life, and how great blessings are promised to those who strive.
  87. Chapter 92How a desolate man ought to commit himself into the hands of God
  88. Chapter 93That we must give ourselves to humble works when we are unequal to those that are lofty
  89. Chapter 94LII
  90. Chapter 95LIII
  91. Chapter 96Of the diverse motions of Nature and of Grace
  92. Chapter 97Of the corruption of Nature and the efficacy of Divine Grace
  93. Chapter 98LVI
  94. Chapter 99That a man must not be too much cast down, when he falleth into some faults
  95. Chapter 100LVIII: Of Deeper Matters, and God's Hidden Judgments Which Are Not to Be Inquired Into
  96. Chapter 101That all hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone
  97. Chapter 102Book IV: Of the Sacrament of the Altar
  98. Chapter 103With how great reverence Christ must be received
  99. Chapter 104II
  100. Chapter 105That it is profitable to Communicate often
  101. Chapter 106IV
  102. Chapter 107Of the dignity of this Sacrament, and of the office of the priest
  103. Chapter 108An Inquiry Concerning Preparation for Communion
  104. Chapter 109Of the Examination of Conscience, and Purpose of Amendment
  105. Chapter 110Of the Oblation of Christ upon the Cross, and of Resignation of Self
  106. Chapter 111IX
  107. Chapter 112That Holy Communion is not lightly to be omitted
  108. Chapter 113XI
  109. Chapter 114That he who is about to Communicate with Christ ought to prepare himself with great diligence
  110. Chapter 115That the devout soul ought with the whole heart to yearn after union with Christ in the Sacrament
  111. Chapter 116Of the fervent desire of certain devout persons to receive the Body and Blood of Christ
  112. Chapter 117That the grace of devotion is acquired by humility and self-denial
  113. Chapter 118XVI
  114. Chapter 119Of Fervent Love and Vehement Desire of Receiving Christ
  115. Chapter 120That a man should not be a curious searcher of the Sacrament, but a humble imitator of Christ, submitting his sense to holy faith
  116. Chapter 121Endnotes