Blessed Imelda Lambertini

Blessed Imelda Lambertini was born in 1322 in Bologna. Her family was devout Catholics and were known for their charity. When Imelda turned 5 she requested to receive Holy Communion. The custom would not allow her to receive until age 14. She joined a cloistered community at age 9, which was very unusual for someone as young as she was. On May 12 1333, she was seen kneeling in prayer when the sacristan said they saw a Host hovering over her head. A priest came immediately, and after witnessing the miracle he was compelled to give her the Eucharist. After she received Holy Communion she decided to stay and pray. After a while a holy sister came to see Imelda still kneeling in prayer with a smile on her face. When she called her name, Imelda did not move, so she gently tapped her and Imelda collapsed on the floor dead.

She would often exclaim “Tell me, can anyone receive Jesus into his heart and not die?”

She is the patron on First Holy Communicants.