Blessed Imelda Lambertini
Young Dominican of Bologna who died at eleven after, by tradition, her first Communion
- Rank
- Blessed
- Kind
- Young saint, Virgin, Religious, Mystic
- Life
- 1322 – 1333
- Era
- 14th century
- Feast
- 13 May
- Countries
- Italy
Life story
Imelda was born in 1322 in Bologna, Italy, into a noble family. As a child she set up a small oratory at home and often prayed there.
At nine, with her parents' permission, she went to live with Dominican nuns at the convent of Val di Pietra near Bologna. By the custom of the time children waited until they were older (sources say twelve to fourteen) for first Communion, so she could not yet receive. She stayed two years in the convent and developed a deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
According to tradition, on the feast of the Ascension, after Mass, the nuns saw what seemed to be a host hovering above her as she knelt before the tabernacle. A priest who was told decided that she should receive Communion then. After her thanksgiving she was found dead. This is a traditional account, not a conclusion of historical research.
She died at eleven, on 12 or 13 May 1333 depending on the source. Her body was buried in the church of San Sigismondo in Bologna. By the usual lists she was beatified in 1826 under Pope Leo XII, and Pope Pius X named her patroness of first communicants.
Works and witness
- Entered the Dominican convent of Val di Pietra near Bologna at nine
- By tradition, received her first Communion after a sign at the Ascension Mass
- Died in May 1333, aged eleven
- Buried at San Sigismondo in Bologna
- Remembered on 13 May and linked with first communicants
Patron of
First communicants
Saints from the same country
References
- English Dominicans (english.op.org), Saints This Month: 13 May, Blessed Imelda Lambertini
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.