Imelda was born into a powerful family in Bologna, Italy. Her father was a Count, and her parents were known for their generosity and charity to the poor. Her parents raised her to love the Catholic faith, and Imelda had a strong and devoted prayer life from an early age, especially towards the Mass. She would attend Mass as often as she could.
When she was nine years old, Imelda asked her parents if she could live with the Dominican nuns at the local monastery. This was difficult for her parents, but they knew how important this was to their daughter, so they allowed her to go. Imelda was greatly loved by the nuns, and followed them around the convent, and copied their routine to the best of her abilities. The nuns allowed her to wear their habit, which she was happy about, but her greatest wish was to receive the Holy Eucharist.
Imelda was too young to receive her First Holy Communion, but that did not stop her from fervently asking the nuns. She was gently refused, and for a while, Imelda had to accept that answer. Instead of becoming upset with being refused her greatest desire, she prayed about it and developed a deeper relationship and love for Jesus. She prayed to the saints, whom her parents and the nuns had taught her about, and she called them her “secret companions.”
When Imelda was eleven, she asked again if she could receive her First Holy Communion, just before the feast of the Ascension. The chaplain agreed with the nuns that Imelda was still too young. The next day, on the feast of the Ascension, Imelda was quietly praying with the nuns while they received the Eucharist. After Mass, as one of the nuns was cleaning up, she noticed that there was a glow around Imelda, and that the Sacred Host was suspended in the air in front of Imelda, surrounded by light. The nun got the chaplain, and he realized that Jesus wanted this young girl to receive Him. He gave Imelda her greatest desire, the Holy Eucharist.
The nun and the chaplain left Imelda alone to pray, but when they returned a little while later, they saw that she had passed away from pure joy. Her hands were still clasped together, and there was a smile on her face.
Imelda’s story is well known in the Dominican Order. She is a wonderful example of how we can, and should, love Jesus and the Holy Eucharist.
Activities to Try:
+ Spend some time in front of the Blessed Sacrament in Adoration.
+ Pray to Bl. Imelda to have a deep love of the Eucharist as she did.
Blessed Imelda
Lord Jesus, Blessed Imelda loved You so much and You received her in such a special way. Please help me to love You in the Eucharist, in the same way she did that You may live and reign in me forever and ever! Amen
Blessed Imelda,
Pray for Us
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