they did not disown him for the Son of Mary.” T. iv. p. 123. . Coloniæ, 1616.
St. Paulinus, who wrote the life of St. Ambrose, thus relates the manner in which that Saint received communion when at the point of death. “Honoratus, Bishop of Vercelli, (who attended him at his death) having retired to the top of the house for a little sleep and repose, heard a voice, which for a third time, said to him: Arise and make haste, for he will soon give up the ghost. Then, coming down, he presented to the Saint the body of the Lord.[1] He received it, and no sooner had he swallowed it, then he gave up the ghost; taking with him a good viaticum, that his soul, being fortified with this food, might go to enjoy the company of the Angels.” T. 1. Op. Ambrosii, p. 44. Coloniæ, 1616.
St. EPIPHANIUS, G.C.-" The Church is the tranquil port of peace, and daily distributes to us that drink which disperses care, the true blood of Jesus Christ.” In Ana cephalæos. T. ii. p. 152.
ST. JEROM, L. C. A lady, named Hedibia, had consulted the Saint on the meaning of the passage in St. Matthew : (xxvi. 29.) I say to you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I shall drink it new with you in the kingdom of my Father. He tells her, that the passage by some had been interpreted very sillily, and then adds: “ But not to trouble ourselves about such fables, let us acknowledge, that the bread which our Saviour broke, and gave to his disciples, is the body of our Lord, he saying to them: Take and eat, this is my body, and of the cup; Drink ye all of this: this is my blood of the New Testament,
- ↑ This passage shews the ancient practice of the Church, of giving to the dying communicant under one kind alone.
