Blessed Imelda, Model of Eucharistic Joy

CLEVELAND - May 5, 2014 - PRLog -- Who are the saints, but roles models for the Church on Earth? Blessed Imelda Lambertini, whose feast day is May 13th, is one such example of holy devotion to our Eucharistic Lord.

Imelda was born in Bologna, Italy in 1322. From the example of her noble parents she developed a love for the Church, assisting her mother in cooking and sewing for the poor, and attending Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours often. At the young age of nine, Imelda asked permission to live with the Dominican Sisters for spiritual formation.

To the extent of her ability, little Imelda strove to follow the Dominican Sisters' way of life, even wearing the habit. Her longing to receive the Eucharist grew, but she was told to wait three more years until she was twelve, the typical age for First Communion at the time. Although she begged the Sisters with the sincere stubbornness of a child, her pleading was gently refused. So great was her love and fervor for the Eucharist that she would exclaim, "Tell me, can anyone receive Jesus into his heart and not die?"

Again, now eleven years old, Imelda begged to be allowed Communion, but the Sisters and chaplain insisted she wait until she was older. It was the vigil of the feast of the Ascension, and she knelt and prayed after Mass. The Sister cleaning the altar soon looked up in surprise to find the Host glowing and suspended above Imelda's head! She called the chaplain, who realized that Christ himself wished that Imelda receive him. The chaplain gave the host to Imelda, who knelt in her private prayer of thanksgiving. The Sisters left Imelda in prayer, and when they returned to fetch her, she died in ecstasy with a smile of pure joy on her face.

Our Lord says in Matthew 18:3, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." May the example of this eleven-year old girl inspire us to love the Eucharistic Lord with fervent devotion. Indeed, if we were to realize how great a gift we were given, our souls would barely contain their joy!

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