• May 13th - Saint Imelda Lambertini

    From rich@1:396/4 to All on Sat May 12 10:07:37 2018
    From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

    May 13th - Saint Imelda Lambertini
    (1322-1333)

    Saint Imelda Lambertini is the patron saint of First Communicants.
    Blessed Imelda is one of the youngest saints of the Church, joining
    her Maker in Heaven at age 11. Her yearning for the Holy Eucharist,
    and simple faith in the Lord remind us of the words of Jesus: "Truly I
    say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child
    shall not enter it at all" (Mark 10:15).

    Imelda was born into one of the oldest and wealthiest families of
    Bologna, Italy. Her father, a count, and her mother lavished her with
    every gift a child could want, but Imelda seemed to be looking for
    more than earthly treasures. Her parents were both devout Catholics,
    and Imelda was taken to Mass on a daily basis. From her mother, she
    learned to give her life in service to others, taking care of the poor
    of her town. Her mother also instructed her in the history and concept
    of the Holy Eucharist, which lit a fire in Imelda's heart for a clo=
    ser
    relationship with the Lord. Even at the young age of five, she would
    spend the majority of her time alone in prayer, arranging a sacred
    space in the corner of her room, adorned with flowers and pictures.
    She displayed great devotion to Saint Agnes of Rome and Our Heavenly
    Mother, Mary, Queen of Angels. At her fifth birthday, following
    receiving many gifts, Imelda inquired of her parents if she might have
    just one more. Her father, angered by what he perceived to be greed,
    rebuked her. However, she whispered to them, =E2=80=9CI'd like to r=
    eceive Our
    Lord in Holy Eucharist.=E2=80=9D

    Of course, at that time in history, Holy Communion was not granted
    until the age of 14, so Imelda had many years to wait. When Imelda
    reached the age of nine, she went to live at the Dominican convent at
    Val di Pietra, her wish to be trained by the nuns and enter the
    religious life. While such young girls were seldom accepted into the
    convent, Imelda's holiness and zeal for the Lord was soon realized =
    and
    inspired the community. She received the Dominican habit soon after
    her entry in the convent. She was especially devoted to the Eucharist,
    falling into ecstasy at Mass, before the Tabernacle, and at exposition
    of the Blessed Sacrament. The one true desire of her heart was to
    receive the Eucharist, frequently stating, =E2=80=9CTell me, can anyone
    receive Jesus into his heart and not die?"

    On the feast of the Ascension, when Imelda was 11, her yearning for
    the Holy Eucharist was fulfilled. Following Mass, after her sisters
    had received Communion, Imelda remained behind in the chapel in
    prayer. One nun, having returned for her, was amazed to see a
    Eucharistic Host, surrounded by a warm light, hovering in the air
    above Imelda. She summoned a priest, who when confronted with this
    miraculous occurrence, had little choice but to grant Imelda her first Eucharist on the spot. Imelda received the Lord, and sunk into
    rapturous ecstasy. Her sisters left her to pray alone in joy, and upon returning, found that she had died, her heart broken from the love she
    felt for God and the joy she experienced in their union.

    Blessed Imelda Lambertini's life was driven by a single purpose--to
    have a closer relationship with the Lord who created her. Her drive,
    the very reason her heart beat, led her to the Eucharist--the source
    of life and hope for each of us. We pray that we remain conscious of
    the great gift that we receive in the Eucharist, and that we never
    take for granted or doubt the important role this awesome privilege
    plays in our humble lives!

    35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me
    will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
    36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.
    37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to
    me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to
    do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the
    will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has
    given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father's will
    is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have
    eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
    53 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh
    of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54
    Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will
    raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my
    blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
    remains in me, and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and
    I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live
    because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will
    live forever." (John 6: 25-40; 53-58)

    Saint Quote:
    Humility is the mother of many virtues. From it spring obedience,
    holy fear, reverence, patience, modesty, mildness, and peace; for,
    whoever is humble easily obeys all, fears to offend any, maintains
    peace with all, shows himself affable to all, is submissive to all,
    does not offend or displease any, and does not feel the insults which
    may be inflicted upon him. He lives happy and contented, and in great
    peace.
    --St. Thomas of Villanova

    Bible Quote
    "One body and one Spirit: as you are called in one hope of your
    calling. One Lord, one faith, one Baptism" (Eph 4:5)


    <><><><>
    Lord Jesus Christ, you received into heaven Blessed Imelda
    who loved you in the Eucharistic banquet. By her prayers
    may we learn to approach your holy table with that same fervent love
    and so fulfill our longing to be with you,
    who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
    one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
    --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
    * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)