When instructing little children, it's important to highlight for them examples of young men and women who were on fire with Eucharistic faith. These examples can inspire them in their own faith and show them that there is more to the Eucharist than meets the eye.
Blessed Imelda Lambertini, one such example, has been rightly labeled a "Patron Saint of First Communicants." She stands next to St. Dominic Savio and even St. Carlo Acutis in a group of young saints who all greatly desired to receive Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
A heart full of desire
What's fascinating about Blessed Imelda is that she wanted to receive Jesus as early as age five. She asked her parents if this were possible, but at the time the custom was to wait until children were 14 years old.
This was difficult news to bear, as her desire only increased as she grew older. By the time she was nine, Blessed Imelda asked if she could enter a convent. Seeing the depth of her faith at such a young age, her parents permitted her to live with the Dominicans at Val di Pietra.
While there she lived like a nun, though because of her age she was not allowed to take any formal vows. She enjoyed being in the convent, but her heart yearned to receive Jesus in Holy Communion. Bl. Imelda consistently begged her superiors to allow for a dispensation to the rule, but they always refused, encouraging her to wait patiently.
Then as the feast of the Ascension was approaching, something miraculous happened. The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia provide a narration of the events:
On the Vigil of the Ascension Imelda was in her place in the chapel, quietly praying as the sisters received Communion. Then Jesus did a little “insisting” of His own. After Mass, as one of the nuns was clearing the altar, she heard a noise and looked up to the choir to see Imelda, a glowing light shining above her head, with the Sacred Host suspended in the light. The chaplain was called at once, and he understood that Jesus Himself was making his desire known. “Let the little children come to Me and do not stop them.” The priest gave Imelda her First Holy Communion.
Her face was radiant and the joy enveloped her so entirely that she died peacefully in the chapel, transitioning from this life to the next.
Naturally this mysterious death needs to be presented carefully to tender seven-year-olds so that they don't get the wrong idea. The crucial point is not the hour or manner of our deaths, which is not in our hands, but the desire that we can foster in life, just as Blessed Imelda did.
Blessed Imelda's entire life was one of desire, daily longing to be with her King. When she was finally granted that union, her life was complete and she could be at peace forever.
It's a reminder that each time we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, we are one step closer to that ultimate union with him in Heaven.
First Communicants are encouraged to learn about her child-like faith and to fan the flames of their own faith, that they too may long to be united with Jesus.
