Scholastic & Reform · AD 1401–1500
The 15th-Century Witness to the Real Presence
From AD 1401 to 1500, 2 voices of the Church — Thomas à Kempis, and Nicholas of Cusa — testified that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist. These are their primary-source words, with dates and sources.
Thomas à Kempis
c. 1418c. 1380 – 1471 · Canon regular and author of The Imitation of Christ
“O Lord, I come to You at Your command in simplicity of heart, in good, firm faith, with hope and reverence, and I truly believe that You are present here in this Sacrament, God and man. It is Your will that I receive You and unite myself to You in love.”
Imitation of Christ, Book IV · Read more →
Nicholas of Cusa
15th century1401 – 1464 · Cardinal, philosopher, and theologian
“And then from wondrous charity, which Christ shows to us in this sacrament, with which He, about to pass from the world [Jn. 13:1], left Himself as food in a wondrous manner, the most wondrous of all His miracles.”
Sermon XVIII de Eucharistia · Read more →