Blessed Imelda Lambertini

Imelda Lambertini was born in 1322 in Bologna, Italy, the only child to devout parents. At age five, Imelda asked to receive the Eucharist. At the time, children did not receive First Communion until age 14. Her desire never waned. By age nine, she still longed for the Eucharist and asked to join a convent. She was sent to live with Dominican nuns, though due to her age, she could not take any vows.

On May 12, 1333, the feast of the Ascension, she was kneeling in prayer when a light and an image of a host appeared above her head. The sacristan, who witnessed the event, called for the priest. Upon seeing the vision, the priest felt compelled to give Imelda Communion.

After receiving the Eucharist, Imelda returned to her spot and continued in prayer. When a nun came by later to get her for dinner, Imelda was still kneeling with a smile on her face. When the nun called her name, she did not move. When the nun touched her shoulder, she collapsed on the floor, dead.

Her spiritual writings and the story of her determined desire for the Eucharist gained popularity among Dominicans and those preparing for First Communion.

Blessed Imelda Lambertini is on the path to canonization as a saint. Her feast day is May 12. She is a patron for First Communicants.

St. Marculf

St. Marculf was born in the Bayeux region of Normandy around 500. Around age 30 he became a priest and missionary around Normandy and Jersey. But he desired to live as a hermit and was granted land to build a monastery in Nanteuil. He was known as a pious leader and miracle-worker.

St. Marculf died on May 1, 558 one of two small islands off the coast of Normandy, now named the Îles Saint-Marcouf.

After his death, he became known as an intercessor for those with skin diseases. His relics were transferred to Corbeny, near Reims, where they were used in the coronation of kings. It was said that kings, with use of his relics, could heal “the king’s evil” (the skin condition scrofula) by touch. Pilgrims would bathe in the natural springs near his shrine.

St. Marculf is a patron of those suffering with skin disease. His feast day is May 1.

Divine Mercy vs. Dictatorial Mercilessness

There had been rumors circulating the past week or so about a meeting between the Pentagon and the nuncio (the Vatican ambassador to the U.S.) in January. Apparently, the administration did not like Pope Leo’s call for peace in his Easter Urbi et Orbi message. The under secretary apparently said, “America has the military power to do whatever it wants in the world. The Catholic Church had better take its side.” It was also rumored that they made reference to the Avignon Papacy, implying that military power can be used to control the Church, or that a nation can install its own puppet pope. I didn’t initially have too many thoughts on it; the meeting was confirmed, but the specifics were rumor. The Vatican released a statement saying that it was pretty much a normal meeting and the media narrative wasn’t factual.

But it was clear that the pope’s message of peace and the administration’s message of war were at growing odds. That is probably obvious for anyone paying attention, but the rumors of the meeting conflict brought it out to light. It was further highlighted when, on Easter, the holiest day of the Christian year, instead of a message of blessings or resurrection, the president posted a threat to blow Iran back to the Stone Age. Two days later he further threatened that a “whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.”

In his Urbi et Orbi message on Easter (his first Easter as pope), Pope Leo XIV noted that Christ is victorious, but that victory is non-violent. He spoke against war, private interests, and inhumane treatment. He spoke of unity, peace, and freedom. “Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue! Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them!.... On this day of celebration, let us abandon every desire for conflict, domination, and power, and implore the Lord to grant his peace to a world ravaged by wars and marked by a hatred and indifference that make us feel powerless in the face of evil.”