Bl. Imelda Lambertini-- determination like no other

  We recently celebrated the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ. The Church has always held the truth that the Eucharist is Jesus Christ, present under the appearances of bread and wine. Yet, the vast majority of Catholics don't really grasp the real meaning of what the Eucharist is.

  There was a saint who was not like that. She was so determined to receive the Eucharist, that it took a miracle to convince those around her that she should. That saint was Bl. Imelda Lambertini.

                                                     

 

 Bl. Imelda was born in the year 1322 to a wealthy family. She was very devout from a young age, and had a deep love for Jesus.

  On her fifth birthday, Imelda began asking her parents many questions about the Eucharist. After she received her answers, she suddenly requested to receive her First Communion.

  Now, as you can imagine, Imelda's parents were shocked. At that time, children were not allowed to receive their First Communion until they were fourteen years old. So they refused.

  Imelda was very sad. But there was nothing that she could do but wait. So she waited for four years.

  When and Imelda was nine, she felt the call to a religious vocation. With the help of her parents, she received permission to enter a convent that same year.

   Imelda remained in the convent for two years, but still did not obtain permission to receive the Eucharist, no matter how badly she desired it.

  On the Eve of the Feast of the Ascension, the little novice was at Mass with the other sisters. It may have seemed to be an ordinary mass to everyone else, but to Imelda, something about this particular mass was special. Something deep inside her told her that today would be different.

  The time for Holy Communion arrived, but it was the same as always. Imelda was so upset that she stayed in the chapel, even after all of the other nuns had left.

  Suddenly, the doors of the Tabernacle opened. A Consecrated Host came out surrounded by light, and floated on thin air. It came closer to Imelda until It stopped and rested just above her head.

  The other nuns soon found out about this, and they all gathered around in adoration. The mother abbess summoned the priest, who took the Host from the air, and gave Imelda her First Holy Communion.

  Imelda stayed behind for such a long time after the miracle, that one of the sisters had to fetch her, only to find out that she was dead. Imelda had died of joy only a few minutes after her First Communion. She was eleven years old.

  Imelda was beatified in 1826. Though she has yet to be canonized, she is a powerful intercessor for all who are making their First Communion. Her Feast Day is May 12.

  Like Imelda, we must all be determined to receive Jesus in the Eucharist and never be separated from Him. May she be an example to all of us of faith and determination to always be with the Lord Who loves us.