It is the season for First Communicants, so let's look at Bl. Imelda. Lived From 1322 to 1333
Hometown: Bologna, Italy
Feast Day: May 13th
Imelda was born to a noble and religious Italian Family. She herself showed strong devotion to the Lord from a young age. She even made her own chapel in her room out of pictures and flowers. AT the age of 9, she asked to go to live with the Dominican Nuns and study there, in part so that she might one day become a sister herself. She spent most of her time praying with the nuns and meditating on the saints. She had a great devotion to St. Agnes, and at one point had visions and conversations with St. Agnes often. Now, at this time, children had to wait until the age of 12 to receive first communion. However, Imelda begged over and over for the nuns to allow her to receive the Eucharist, despite her age. On the feast of the Ascension, 1333, she asked the priest to receive communion. When he refused she fervently prayed to Jesus to let her receive this grace. She was still praying even after mass ended, and one sister, before leaving, saw Imelda and noticed that a bright light was shining around her, and in front of her a Eucharist was suspended in mid-air. The sister immediately told the priest to give her first communion, and Imelda was filled with such joy and ecstasy at that very moment that she died from the joy right after she was given the Eucharist. For more information:
http://www.nashvilledominican.org/community/our-dominican-heritage/our-saints-and-blesseds/bl-imelda-lambertini-2/
Bl. Imelda, teach us the passion for the Eucharist which you always had, and acknowledge the true presence of Jesus. Teach us also your persistence in receiving the graces from heaven above. May Jesus Christ in the presence of the Eucharist be with us now and forever.
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