Chapter LIII. Of the most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist

THUS far, beloved, I have provided you with four weapons, which are necessary for you in order to overcome your enemies; and I have also given you directions how to manage them effectively.

There yet remains another, of which I ought to treat, namely, the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist.

And inasmuch as this Sacrament is above all others, so this fifth weapon surpasses all the rest.

The four of which I have spoken draw their virtue from the Merits and grace purchased for us by the Blood of Christ, but this weapon is itself the very Flesh and Blood together with the Soul and Divinity of Christ.

With regard to the four first weapons, we fight against our enemies in the strength of Christ, but in this fifth one, we fight against them with Christ Himself; and Christ Himself fights against them with us. For whoso eats the Flesh of Christ and drinks His Blood, dwells in Christ, and Christ in him.

This weapon, the most holy Sacrament, may be taken in two ways, namely, sacramentally and spiritually: in the former, it may be daily; in the latter, every hour and every moment. You must not then neglect to receive It very often in the second way, and always when you are permitted in the first.