Blessed Imelda Lambertini

May 13 is the historical feast of Blessed Imelda Lambertini, who died in 1333 and is an incorruptable and the patroness of first communicants.

This young saint was born in 1322 in Italy, and entered a Dominican convent at age 9. While there, she grew in love for the Blessed Mother and the Eucharist. However, she was not allowed to partake of the Sacrament at this time, because she was yet too young. She often commented: "How can anyone receive Jesus into his heart and not die of love?" So strong was her desire to receive the Sacrament that she constantly prayed that she might be allowed this great gift.

On the Feast of the Ascension, she prayed like always that she might have a share in the Eucharist: "Come, for I am languishing with love and dying with desire for Your adorable presence." The Eucharistic Lord heard her heart's desire and a Host miraculously left the tabernacle, passed through the grille and hovered above her young head. A priest was called and Imelda was finally allowed to make her first holy communion. The sisters left her to make her thanksgiving in private. As time passed, they began to worry and they returned to the chapel but soon realized that she was dead. She is said to have "expired in an estacy of pure love."