Chapter 31: Of the advantages of frequent Communion, and of receiving the holy Viaticum

Once also, as the Saint was about to communicate, she said : " 0 Lord, what wilt Thou give me ? " "I will give Myself to thee entirely," He replied, " with all the virtue of My Divinity, even as My Virgin Mother received Me.'* " But what shall I gain by this 1 " inquired Gertrude, "more than those persons who received Thee yesterday with me, and who will not receive Thee to-day, since Thou dost always give Thyself entirely and without reserve ? " Our Lord replied : " If people in the world honour one who has been a consul twice more than a person who has only once filled that office, how shall he fail of greater glory in eternity who has received Me more frequently on earth ? " Then she exclaimed, sighing : " How far above me in beatitude will those priests be who communicate every day to fulfil the duties of their ministry ! " " It is true," replied our Lord, " that those who celebrate worthily shall shine in great glory ; but the love of him who communicates with pleasure should be judged of very differently from the exterior magnificence which appears in this mystery. There will be one reward for him who has approached with desire and love ; there will be another for him who approaches with fear and reverence ; and another for him who is very diligent in his preparation. But those who habitually celebrate through custom only, shall have no share in My gifts."

As the Saint prayed that God would permit her to receive the holy Viaticum as her last nourishment imme diately before her death, she was informed interiorly that her desire was not a good one ; for the effect of the Sacrament could not be lessened by the trifling refreshment taken in sickness, merely to preserve life, for the glory of God. Everything good in man is ennobled by participation in the Sacrament which unites him to God ; but particularly at the moment of death, after he has received the Bread of Life, he may merit by all that he does with a pure intention, such as performing acts of patience, eating, drinking, &c., by which he accumulates eternal beatitude from his union with the Body of Christ.