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Blessed Imelda Lambertini

Born 1322

Bologna, Italy

Died May 12, 1333

Valdipietra, Bologna

Honored in Roman Catholic Church

Beatified 1826

Feast May 12

Attributes Incorruptibility

Patronage First communicants

Blessed Imelda Lambertini (1322 – May 12, 1333) is the patroness of First Holy Communicants.

Contents

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 1 Early life

 2 Beatification

 3 References

 4 External links

Early life[edit]

Imelda was born in 1322 in Bologna, the only child of Count Egano Lambertini and Castora Galuzzi. Her
parents were devout Catholics and were known for their charity and generosity to the underprivileged of
Bologna. As a very young girl, Imelda had a burning desire to receive Christ in the Most Holy Eucharist. On her
fifth birthday, she requested this privilege; however the custom at the time was that children did not receive
 their First Holy Communion until age 12. Imelda was sorely disappointed but knew the time would come soon
enough. She would sometimes exclaim: "Tell me, can anyone receive Jesus into his heart and not die?"

As time went by, her desire for the Blessed Sacrament grew, and she loved Christ more than ever. To show
this love, she joined a cloistered Dominican community at age nine in Valdipietra, near Bologna, which was
unusual to do for a girl at her age. There it would be easier to wait for her First Communion, in deep prayer and
conversation with God.

On May 12, 1333, the day of the vigil of the Ascension, she finally got her wish. As she knelt in prayer the
"Light of the Host" was witnessed above her head by the Sacristan, who then fetched the Priest so he could
see. After seeing this miracle, the priest felt compelled admit her to receiving the Eucharist. Immediately after
receiving it, Imelda fell to the floor and died in complete ecstasy. Her remains are kept in Bologna at the Church
of San Sigismondo, beneath the wax effigy of her likeness. There still remains some controversy as to whether
Blessed Imelda can be classified as incorrupt. Many argue that contrary to popular belief, she is not truly
incorrupt. Many other sources, including the Church of San Sigismondo, steadfastly claim that she is incorrupt.

Beatification[edit]

Imelda was beatified by Pope Leo XII in 1826.

References[edit]
External links[edit]

 Imelda Lambertini at Find a Grave

 VIAF: 13101844

Authority control

 ISNI: 0000 0000 6135 118X

Categories:
 1322 births
 1333 deaths
 People from Bologna
 Italian beatified people
 Child saints
 Italian children
 Italian Roman Catholics
 Women of medieval Italy

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