Beneath Mary's Mantle: Bl. Imelda Lambertini (c. 1324 -1333)
St. Dominic once had a dream in which he saw all the saints of the Order safely beneath the mantle of Mary, Protectress of the Order of Preachers. In this blog series, we’ll introduce our beloved Dominican Saints, learn about their lives and work, and come to see how they still inspire and pass on their gifts to today’s faithful.
Patroness of First Communicants
Born: c. 1324 in Bologna, Italy
Died: May 12, 1333 in Bologna, Italy
Feast Day: May 13
Imelda Lambertini was born in the early 14th century to a noted Bolognese Christian family, known for their piety and many religious vocations. Among Imelda’s relatives one finds bishops, nuns, and even a pope, Benedict XIV. Alongside her mother, little Imelda’s childhood was steeped in Christian devotion and charity, daily attending Mass and assisting the sick and poor.
At age 9, Imelda was sent to the Dominican Monastery of the Magdalen in Val di Pietro for her education. From the beginning she loved living in the monastery and, as much as she was allowed, took part in the community prayers and exercises. Well regarded for her virtue, innocence, and obedience, she was even given permission to wear the habit. Above all else though, Imelda longed to receive our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. At this time, children younger than 12 were not allowed to take Communion. Despite her fervent prayers and persistence in asking the chaplain of the monastery for permission to receive the Eucharist, she continued to wait.
This period of waiting only increased her holy desire, which would be realized on May 12, 1333, the vigil of the Ascension. After Mass, Imelda remained alone in choir praying before the tabernacle, asking our Lord, once again, to be granted the grace to receive Him. It was then that a bright light shone, and a consecrated host appeared above her head. One of the nuns happened to witness this and ran to get the chaplain, who then came and gave the Eucharist to Imelda. Immediately after this miraculous Communion, Imelda died of love and joy.
At least twice daily, Dominican nuns pray the De Profundis, also known as Psalm 130, which includes the words “My soul is longing for the Lord.” These brief words sum up the lives, not just of those who live in a monastery, but all Christians in all times. While we are on this earth we deeply desire the rest which God promises us in the life to come, and we experience a restlessness as we journey towards our heavenly home. Thankfully, in His mercy our Lord gives us nourishment in the form of the Eucharist. It is in the Holy Mass that we come closest to heaven while still on Earth, “already [uniting] ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and [anticipating] eternal life” (CCC 1326).
Blessed Imelda models this deep longing, and her life shows us that God is faithful in calling his children to Himself. Imelda was steadfast and determined, and even in her deprivation she remained cheerful and humbly obedient. How blessed are those of us who are given the grace to participate in this great Sacrament, through which we experience the oneness of Christ’s Mystical Body. We should draw strength and hope from the story of Imelda’s short life, and learn from her how to persistently love Jesus in the Sacraments, which He gives to us in order to be with us even in this life.
Blessed Imelda, pray for us!
