Saint of the Month - May 2023: Blessed Imelda Lambertini

Bl. Imelda Lambertini

The Eucharist was her ultimate Joy

Memorial: May 13th

May’s Saint of the Month blog will be a short one.  The reason being is that the holy person featured this month lived to be only 11-years-old!  Her name was Imelda Lambertini and she is one of the youngest Beatas in the Church's roster of officially recognized holy ones.  Born the daughter of a devout nobleman of Bologna named Count Egano and his wife, Lady Castora, her year of birth was recorded as 1322.

Raised in a home where a lively faith was practiced, the Countess often took her precocious little Imelda to Mass and on errands of mercy.  In response, the girl displayed an unusual spirit of piety and self-giving that could only be credited to the special predilection of the Holy Spirit.  Biographies further recount how she was attracted to solitude and prayer, preferring to find quiet places to commune with God rather than be in the carefree company of other children.

At 9, Imelda expressed for the first time her intent to enter the local Dominican Monastery to become a nun there; the notion was speedily dismissed by her parents as a passing fancy but the girl's persistence indicated otherwise.  She pestered her parents until they finally caved in to her requests.

Not surprisingly, an inquiry made with the Mother Superior of the monastery resulted in an outright refusal since Imelda was deemed unsuited because of her age… but the count and countess used their status and wealth to convince the superior to take Imelda in as a sort of paying border to satisfy the child's desire to “play” at being a religious.

The Mother Superior reluctantly conceded to the plan and allowed Imelda to live among them; even providing her with her own little novice habit.  At first the whole community was amused with their newest member but convinced that she would quickly outgrow her frivolous ideas once she got a true taste of the manual work and difficulties involved in living their Rule.  To their surprise, Imelda not only embraced monastic life but her spirituality seemed to thrive and mature at an accelerated rate within their walls.

The superior, at first, dispensed the youngster from having to do difficult chores and from joining in the early morning prayers.  Imelda, however, insisted that she be treated as any other novice in the community.  Impressed by her sincerity and strength of will, the Mother Superior allowed her full participation in their daily work and devotional exercises; Imelda, in turn, amazed the sisters with her adherance to their Rule, and they found themselves growing to genuinely love and respect her as one of their own.  There was, though, one big thing they couldn’t allow her to do – receive Holy Communion.

In the two years she spent in the monastery, Imelda developed an acute awareness of the presence of Christ in the Eucharist; she loved Jesus and begged the nuns several times for another exception, which were denied each time.  Instead, they exhorted Imelda to be patient until she reached an appropriate age to receive Communion.  She could only sadly comply.

On May 12, 1333, something extraordinary took place that would forever associate Imelda with the Eucharist.  From her place in the pews during a Mass, she tearfully watched the nuns approach the altar to receive their Spouse in the Blessed Sacrament.  Once the Mass finished, the nuns left the chapel leaving Imelda alone in quiet prayer.

After an extended period of time, noting Imelda’s absence, one of the nuns returned to the chapel to fetch her.  To her surprise, she found the child kneeling and gazing ecstatically at a luminous Host hovering in the air before her.  Fortunately, the sister had the presence of mind to summon the priest and rest of the community, and all witnessed the wonder taking place in their chapel.

At that point the priest deduced that it would only be appropriate to give the miraculous Eucharist to Imelda, as it was clearly the Lord’s will that she receive Him.  So lifting a paten up, the Host descended upon it, after which the priest placed the Body of Christ on Imelda’s awaiting tongue.

Out of respect for the young ecstatic, everyone left the chapel to give Imelda time for private thanksgiving.

Upon returning a little later, the sisters found Imelda in the same spot and position as before; eyes closed and an angelic smile gracing her features... but when they attempted to rouse her, they made a sorrowful discovery - their dear little Imelda was lifeless.  Apparently, she died from the sheer JOY of finally being able to receive her JESUS!

The endearing story of Bl. Imelda Lambertini is one that is treasured by the Dominican Order.  In their Church of St. Sigismundo in Bologna, the remains of this little Eucharistic mystic - encased in a wax simulacrum - is displayed for public veneration.

Pope Leo XII Beatified Imelda in December 1826.  Not surprisingly, she is popularly called the Patroness of First Communicants.

Bl. Imelda Lambertini,

pray for our youth of today to

love the Blessed Sacrament as

you did.  Amen.