Thomas van Kempen en de communie: Een situering van het vierde (oorspronkelijk derde) boek van De Imitatione Christi in de geschiedenis van de vroomheid

Abstract

The fourth, originally third book of the De Imitatione Christi, entitled Devota exhortatio ad sacram communionem, soon became a controversial work in the tradition. Just like the Blessed Sacrament itself, this book has its attractive as well as terrifying elements. Because of this reason it was often transmitted separately from the three other books of the De Imitatione Christi, or even left out of editions. In this contribution several aspects repeatedly discussed in the Devota exhortatio are analyzed and situated within the general context of late medieval piety. Subjects discussed include the dignity of the communicant, the Holy Communion as a conjunction with Christ, the rewards of the Holy Communion and the special status of the priest as celebrant.