--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I did not even know who Christ was, that…" description: "\"“I did not even know who Christ was, that He was God. I had not the faintest idea that there existed such a thing as the Blessed Sacrament. I thought c..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fa/thomas-merton-231_blessed-sacrament_i-did-not-even-know-who-christ-was-that_480305.jpg" --- # I did not even know who Christ was, that He was God. I had… ![“I did not even know who Christ was, that He was God. I had not the faintest idea that there existed such a thing as the Blessed Sacrament. I thought churches were simply places where people got together and sang a few hymns. And yet now I tell you, you who are now what I once was, unbelievers, it…” quote by Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fa/thomas-merton-231_blessed-sacrament_i-did-not-even-know-who-christ-was-that_480305.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fa/thomas-merton-231_blessed-sacrament_i-did-not-even-know-who-christ-was-that_480305.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fa/thomas-merton-231_blessed-sacrament_i-did-not-even-know-who-christ-was-that_480305.jpg) > ““I did not even know who Christ was, that He was God. I had not the faintest idea that there existed such a thing as the Blessed Sacrament. I thought churches were simply places where people got together and sang a few hymns. And yet now I tell you, you who are now what I once was, unbelievers, it is that Sacrament, and that alone, the Christ living in our midst, and sacrificed by us, and for us and with us, in the clean and perpetual Sacrifice, it is He alone Who holds our world together, and keeps us all from being poured headlong and immediately into the pit of our eternal destruction. And I tell you there is a power that goes forth from that Sacrament, a power of light and truth, even into the hearts of those who have heard nothing of Him and seem to be incapable of belief.”” [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Eucharist is a living source of divine power that sustains believers against spiritual peril. **In simple terms:** Eucharist empowers believers. Key Takeaway Embrace the sacrament for spiritual strength. Themes faith spirituality community salvation Mood contemplative hopeful Type theological inspirational When to use this quote - church services - personal prayer - spiritual crises - missionary work Key Concepts Sacramental theology divine presence Questions to Reflect On - How does ritual shape your faith? - What role does community play in your spiritual resilience? A Different Perspective Not all accept sacramental efficacy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blessed sacrament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blessed-sacrament/) [Sacrament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrament/) [Sacrament Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrament-christ-1984532/) [Sacrament Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrament-power-3972465/) [Sacrament Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrament-thought-4130859/) [Unbelievers Sacrament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unbelievers-sacrament-4130858/) ## Related quotes > [The Most Blessed Sacrament is Christ made visible. The poor sick person is Christ again made visible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-majella/the-most-blessed-sacrament-is-christ-made-visible-the-poor-sick/) [Gerard Majella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-majella/) > [When I stand up to talk, people listen to me; they will follow what I have to say. Is it any power of mine?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/when-i-stand-up-to-talk-people-listen-to-me-they-will-follow-what-i/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [I encourage all of you to discover ever more fully in the Eucharist, the sacrament of Christ's sacrificial love, the inspiration and strength needed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/i-encourage-all-of-you-to-discover-ever-more-fully-in-the-eucharist/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [ \[Christ's\] mission and work it is to help against sin and death, to justify and bring life. He has placed his help in baptism… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/christ-s-mission-and-work-it-is-to-help-against-sin-and-death-to/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [Let weak and frail man come here suppliantly to adore the Sacrament of Christ, not to discuss high things, or wish to penetrate difficulties,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-of-the-cross/let-weak-and-frail-man-come-here-suppliantly-to-adore-the-sacrament/) [Paul of the Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-of-the-cross/) > [It is the Sacrament of Love that excites the soul to ardent prayer. It stirs up the virtue of impetration and, as it were,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-of-foligno/it-is-the-sacrament-of-love-that-excites-the-soul-to-ardent-prayer-it/) [Angela of Foligno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-of-foligno/) > [The Eucharist completes the restoration begun in the Crib. Make merry therefore on this beautiful day, on which the sun of the Eucharist is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-julian-eymard/the-eucharist-completes-the-restoration-begun-in-the-crib-make-merry/) [Peter Julian Eymard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-julian-eymard/) > [The Blessed Sacrament is the first and supreme object of our worship. We must preserve in the depths of our hearts a constant and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-euphrasia-pelletier/the-blessed-sacrament-is-the-first-and-supreme-object-of-our-worship/) [Mary Euphrasia Pelletier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-euphrasia-pelletier/) > [The time you spend with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the best time you will spend on earth. Each moment that you spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/the-time-you-spend-with-jesus-in-the-blessed-sacrament-is-the-best/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [Our Redeemer ever present in the most Blessed Sacrament, extends His hands to everyone. He opens His heart and says, 'Come to Me, all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raphael-kalinowski/our-redeemer-ever-present-in-the-most-blessed-sacrament-extends-his/) [Raphael Kalinowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raphael-kalinowski/) > [I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/i-put-before-you-the-one-great-thing-to-love-on-earth-the-blessed/) [J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/) > [Good friends find pleasure in one another's company. Let us know pleasure in the company of our best Friend, a Friend who can do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonsus-liguori/good-friends-find-pleasure-in-one-another-s-company-let-us-know/) [Alphonsus Liguori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonsus-liguori/) > [Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/out-of-the-darkness-of-my-life-so-much-frustrated-i-put-before-you/) [J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/) > [Without the Blessed Sacrament a position like mine would be intolerable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/father-damien/without-the-blessed-sacrament-a-position-like-mine-would-be/) [Father Damien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/father-damien/) > [Now you shall consider My love in the Blessed Sacrament. Here, I am entirely yours, soul, body and divinity, as your Bridegroom. You know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-faustina-kowalska/now-you-shall-consider-my-love-in-the-blessed-sacrament-here-i-am/) [Mary Faustina Kowalska](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-faustina-kowalska/) ## More by Thomas Merton > [“Let no one hope to find in contemplation an escape from conflict, from anguish or from doubt. On the contrary, the deep, inexpressible certitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/let-no-one-hope-to-find-in-contemplation-an-escape-from-conflict-from/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [If nothing that can be seen can either be God or represent Him to us as He is, then to find God we must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/if-nothing-that-can-be-seen-can-either-be-god-or-represent-him-to-us/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [It is almost impossible to overestimate the value of true humility and its power in the spiritual life. For the beginning of humility is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/it-is-almost-impossible-to-overestimate-the-value-of-true-humility/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [We are not perfectly free until we live in pure hope. For when our hope is pure, it no longer trusts exclusively in human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/we-are-not-perfectly-free-until-we-live-in-pure-hope-for-when-our/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [The desire to kill is like the desire to attack another with an ingot of red -hot iron: I have to pick up the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-desire-to-kill-is-like-the-desire-to-attack-another-with-an-ingot/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [To enter into the realm of contemplation one must in a certain sense die: but this death is in fact the entrance to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/to-enter-into-the-realm-of-contemplation-one-must-in-a-certain-sense/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [The mission of Christian humility in social life is not merely to edify, but to keep minds open to many alternatives. The rigidity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-mission-of-christian-humility-in-social-life-is-not-merely-to/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Peace cannot be built on exclusivism, absolutism, and intolerance. But neither can it be built on vague liberal slogans and pious programs gestated in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/peace-cannot-be-built-on-exclusivism-absolutism-and-intolerance-but/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Things that are good are good, and if one is responding to that goodness one is in contact with a truth from which one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/things-that-are-good-are-good-and-if-one-is-responding-to-that/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [Love winter when the plant says nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/love-winter-when-the-plant-says-nothing/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [The logic of worldly success rests on a fallacy: the strange error that our perfection depends on the thoughts and opinions and applause of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-logic-of-worldly-success-rests-on-a-fallacy-the-strange-error/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“The wisdom of the flesh is a judgement that the ordinary ends of our natural appetites are the goods to which the whole of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-wisdom-of-the-flesh-is-a-judgement-that-the-ordinary-ends-of-our/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [I will no longer wound myself with the thoughts and questions that have surrounded me like thorns: that is a penance You do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/i-will-no-longer-wound-myself-with-the-thoughts-and-questions-that/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [If you write for God you will reach many men and bring them joy. If you write for men--you may make some money and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/if-you-write-for-god-you-will-reach-many-men-and-bring-them-joy-if/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“Contemplation means rest, suspension of activity, withdrawal into the mysterious interior solitude in which the soul is absorbed in the immense and fruitful silence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/contemplation-means-rest-suspension-of-activity-withdrawal-into-the/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) [Explore all 851 Thomas Merton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) ## More Blessed sacrament quotes > [...In this world I cannot see the Most High Son of God with my own eyes, except for His Most Holy Body and Blood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-of-assisi/in-this-world-i-cannot-see-the-most-high-son-of-god-with-my-own-eyes/) [Francis of Assisi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-of-assisi/) > [The Rosary, especially prayed in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, is a powerful means of spiritual grace. In all of our efforts to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-vose-daily/the-rosary-especially-prayed-in-the-presence-of-the-blessed-sacrament/) [Thomas Vose Daily](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-vose-daily/) > [Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament is the queen of all devotions. It is the central devotion of the Church. All others gather round it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-william-faber/devotion-to-the-blessed-sacrament-is-the-queen-of-all-devotions-it-is/) [Frederick William Faber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-william-faber/) > [The unique and indivisible existence of the Lord glorious in heaven, is not multiplied, but is rendered present by the sacrament in the many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-paul-vi/the-unique-and-indivisible-existence-of-the-lord-glorious-in-heaven/) [Pope Paul VI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-paul-vi/) > [As far as possible, you should pray in quiet and silent devotion. Try to have a favorite topic of prayer, such as a devotion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-julian-eymard/as-far-as-possible-you-should-pray-in-quiet-and-silent-devotion-try/) [Peter Julian Eymard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-julian-eymard/) > [Every time we look at the Blessed Sacrament our place in heaven is raised forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-the-great/every-time-we-look-at-the-blessed-sacrament-our-place-in-heaven-is/) [Gertrude the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-the-great/) > [If Christ did not want to dismiss the Jews without food in the desert for fear that they would collapse on the way, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/if-christ-did-not-want-to-dismiss-the-jews-without-food-in-the-desert/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [Now you shall consider My love in the Blessed Sacrament. Here, I am entirely yours, soul, body and divinity, as your Bridegroom. You know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-faustina-kowalska/now-you-shall-consider-my-love-in-the-blessed-sacrament-here-i-am/) [Mary Faustina Kowalska](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-faustina-kowalska/) > [Without the Blessed Sacrament a position like mine would be intolerable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/father-damien/without-the-blessed-sacrament-a-position-like-mine-would-be/) [Father Damien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/father-damien/) > [We must visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament a hundred thousand times a day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-francis-de-sales/we-must-visit-jesus-in-the-blessed-sacrament-a-hundred-thousand-times/) [Saint Francis de Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-francis-de-sales/) > [O Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, I would like to be filled with love for You; keep me closely united with You, may my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-xxiii/o-jesus-in-the-blessed-sacrament-i-would-like-to-be-filled-with-love/) [Pope John XXIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-xxiii/) > [The guest of our soul knows our misery; He comes to find an empty tent within us - that is all He asks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/therese-of-lisieux/the-guest-of-our-soul-knows-our-misery-he-comes-to-find-an-empty-tent/) [Therese of Lisieux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/therese-of-lisieux/) > [Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/out-of-the-darkness-of-my-life-so-much-frustrated-i-put-before-you/) [J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/) > [Of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments, the one dearest to God and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonsus-liguori/of-all-devotions-that-of-adoring-jesus-in-the-blessed-sacrament-is/) [Alphonsus Liguori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonsus-liguori/) > [No tongue is able to declare the greatness of the love that Jesus bears to every soul: and therefore this Spouse, when he would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-of-alcantara/no-tongue-is-able-to-declare-the-greatness-of-the-love-that-jesus/) [Peter of Alcantara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-of-alcantara/) [Browse all 127 Blessed sacrament quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blessed-sacrament/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I did not even know who Christ was, that He was God. 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