Blessed Imelda’s Eucharistic Miracle!

Blessed Imelda Lambertini, born in Bologna, Italy in 1322, was given the title, Patroness of First Communicants for good reason!

Even at the age of nine, Imelda had an extraordinary devotion to Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist at Mass and in the tabernacle. To receive Our Lord in Holy Communion became the consuming desire of her heart, but the Church at that time and place prohibited anyone under the age of twelve from receiving their first Holy Communion.

In expressing how she yearned to receive the Eucharist, Imelda was known to ask the question, "Tell me, can anyone receive Jesus into his heart and not die? "

The following miracle story illustrates how our Lord responded to Imelda’s intense desire to receive Him in the Eucharist, and is one that should remind all of us Catholics of how we should approach the Blessed Sacrament with the utmost reverence, and to receive the Eucharist only after being made worthy through the sacrament of Reconciliation!

Blessed Imelda was a pious child who begged her parents to allow her to become a Dominican when she was just nine years of age. Her parents, though saddened at having to be separated from their only child, recognized God's will for their daughter, and Imelda joined the nuns at Val di Pietra.

Her status among the nuns is unclear. She received the habit and participated in the life of the nuns to some extent. At that time, children were not allowed to make their First Holy Communion until age 12, but Imelda prayed continually that she would be able to receive Our Lord without having to wait so long.

When Imelda was 11, after Mass on the vigil of the Feast of the Ascension, the Sacred Host was seen suspended amidst a brilliant light above Imelda's head. The chaplain, who was immediately summoned, gave the Host to Imelda. Afterwards, the nuns left her alone to make her thanksgiving. The prioress soon discovered, however, that Imelda, who had been in ecstasy, had died shortly after receiving her First Holy Communion, so much in love was she with Our Lord in the Eucharist.

Blessed Imelda Lambertini was declared Patroness of First Communicants by Pope St. Pius X.

Be Anxious for Nothng!

In the Liturgy of the Mass as part of the Communion Rite, we hear the priest say these words following the Lord’s Prayer, “Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

We are reminded that as followers of Christ we need not be anxious! The Lord will deliver us if we wait on Him and trust in Him!

For all of you who are experiencing anxiety over the things of this world, take heart and trust in God. Below are only a few verses from God’s Word about His promise to protect and guide us through the storms of this earthly life.

Following the Bible verses below, please click on the video to listen to and read the lyrics of Matt Redman’s song, Never Let Go - this song is very appropriate for the times in which we live!

BIBLE VERSES:

A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack.
In green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me;
you restore my strength. You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name.
Even when I walk through a dark valley, I fear no harm for you are at my side; your rod and staff give me courage.
You set a table before me as my enemies watch; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Only goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come. (Psalm 23:1-6)

I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4)

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. (Psalm 9:9-10)

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17)

Trust in the Lord and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him. (Psalm 37:3-5, 7a)

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (Psalm 46:1-3)

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. (Psalm 62:1-2)

Fear of others will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. (Proverbs 29:25)

Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. (Exodus 14:13a,14)

Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

By his light I walked through darkness. (Job 29:3)

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight. But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Luke 12:6-7)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28

Happy Easter! Experience the Resurrection Power!

In the liturgy we say the words, “Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.”

Today we celebrate the glory of Christ’s resurrection along with the promise of eternal life made available to all who trust in Him!

Always remember, you are never alone! In our darkest hour Christ is there with us!

Let us give Him thanks and praise! Let us love Him and serve Him always!

The Eucharist and the Road to Emmaus

In the Gospel of Luke, (Luke 24:13-35) Jesus suddenly appears walking alongside two of his followers after his resurrection, however his followers did not recognize him to the point that they began to give Jesus the account of his own trial and crucifixion.

Jesus then proceeded to interpret Scripture passages that made reference to his passion, death and resurrection. Still not recognizing him, the two then asked Jesus to stay with them for a while to which he agreed.

Later as they were having dinner, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. Luke tells us in verse 31 that it was only when Jesus broke the bread and gave it to them that the two followers recognized him.

This account of the two disciples’ interaction with the risen Lord, which occurred on the Road to Emmaus, concludes this way in verse 35 – “Then the two recounted (to the other apostles and followers of Jesus) what had taken place on the way (to Emmaus) and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.”

We come to know Jesus in the breaking of the bread, The Eucharist!
Let us continue to recognize Jesus when we come to his table at Mass, and always remember his words, "This is my body, which will be given for you”

Transubstantiation – Christ Is Truly Present!

Believing that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist is essential to the practice of our Catholic faith! (CCC 1324)

Why is it so hard for some to believe that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist?

After all, if Christ is the Creator of the vast universe in which we live and all that it contains, then what could possibly prevent him from making himself present to us under the form of something with which we are familiar, and are capable of experiencing with all of our senses?

St. Thomas Aquinas explains the mystery of Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist in terms of what the Church refers to as transubstantiation. He tells us that everything that has substance, such as bread and wine, stands under what philosophers refer to as “accidents”,. The accidents give a substance its appearance, texture, taste, and smell.

UPON CONSECRATION OF THE BREAD AND WINE, CHRIST HIMSELF BECOMES, OR REPLACES, THE SUBSTANCE UNDER WHICH THE ACCIDENTS OF THE BREAD AND WINE STILL REMAIN. In other words, what we still perceive through all of our senses as bread and wine, has now supernaturally become transformed into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Listen to what St. John Chrysostom and St. Ambrose have to say about transubstantiation in the following references found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church #1375.

“It is not man that causes the things offered to become the Body and Blood of Christ, but he who was crucified for us, Christ himself. The priest, in the role of Christ, pronounces these words, but their power and grace are God's. This is my body, he says. This word transforms the things offered.” (St. John Chrysostom, prod. Jud. 1:6: PG 49, 380.)

“Be convinced that this is not what nature has formed, but what the blessing has consecrated. The power of the blessing prevails over that of nature, because by the blessing nature itself is changed. . . . Could not Christ's word, which can make from nothing what did not exist, change existing things into what they were not before? It is no less a feat to give things their original nature than to change their nature.” (St. Ambrose, De myst. 9, 50; 52: PL 16, 405-407.)

Read More About Our Lord's Presence in the Eucharist

Come Back To Confession!

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states in CCC #2181 - The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.119 Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

When a person negligently “bags Mass,” to go shopping, catch-up on work, sleep a few extra hours, attend a social event, or not interrupt vacation, the person is allowing something to take the place of God. Something becomes more valuable than the Holy Eucharist . . .Read More

What is grave sin?

A serious, grave or mortal sin is the knowing and willful violation of God's law in a serious matter, for example, idolatry, adultery, murder, slander. These are all things gravely contrary to the love we owe God and, because of Him, our neighbor.

Mortal sin is called mortal because it is the "spiritual" death of the soul (separation from God). If we are in the state of grace it loses this supernatural life for us. If we die without repenting we will lose Him for eternity. However, by turning our hearts back to Him and receiving the Sacrament of Penance we are restored to His friendship. Catholics are not allowed to receive Communion if they have unconfessed mortal sins.

Thousands, if not millions of Catholics have abandoned the sacrament of Penance. Some reject the Church’s teaching on the sacrament and rely on their own opinions and interpretations, while others suffer from the lack of proper faith formation. In any event, proper disposition toward, and reverence for the Eucharist must be restored by informing Catholics of the error of receiving Communion while not in a state of grace.

Only when properly disposed to the sacrament of Penance, can we be restored to a state of grace and thus become worthy to approach and receive our Lord in the Eucharist!

COME BACK TO CONFESSION! Let’s repent of our sins and return to practicing our faith in accordance with the teachings of the Church. Let us show thanks for the grace Christ provides for us through His sacraments by humbly accepting these gifts of love!

Catholic Apologetics with Dr. Peter Kreeft

Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., is a professor of philosophy at Boston College and at the King's College (Empire State Building), in New York City. He is a regular contributor to several Christian publications, is in wide demand as a speaker at conferences, and is the author of over 45 books including: Handbook of Christian Apologetics, Christianity for Modern Pagans, and Fundamentals of the Faith.

Dr. Kreeft is a great Catholic apologist! Please take time to visit his website by clicking on this link - Peter Kreeft. There you will find many writings and audio files that are yours to download for free.

Thanks, John!

Recently, I emailed a very good friend of mine, John, one of my postings entitled, Life Is the Only Choice! I knew he would like the pro-life message, but I wanted to get his opinion on the song, since we are both amateur musicians and have similar tastes in music.

John certainly supported the anti-abortion message, and as I suspected, liked the song as well. Contained in his response, John used a phrase I found to be very profound, which was “The real message is lets breath life into the living!!!! “

The context in which John used this phrase was in his reference to how we must defend life and cherish life at all stages, not just the lives of the unborn, which by no means are any less precious.

What struck me about the phrase was its application to evangelization, and the numerous references in Scripture illustrating God’s ability to create and restore both physical and spiritual life from His very breath.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 says that "16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

As followers of Christ, we are to proclaim the Gospel message to all the world., which in essence does breath life into the living, or perhaps more appropriately, the dead.

Thanks John!

Why the Sacrament of Reconciliation After Baptism?

We are regenerated, or, “born again” in the sacrament of Baptism. We are washed clean of all sin! However, this new life we receive does not abolish the frailty and weakness of human nature, nor the inclination to sin that tradition calls concupiscence.

Following our baptism, we proceed through life constantly engaged in a spiritual struggle toward holiness and eternal life to which our Lord never ceases to call us. We NEED the effects of the sacrament of Reconciliation to assist us in this life-long battle.

Please prayerfully consider going to Confession no matter how long it has been since the last time you have gone! Experience Christ’s healing power, as well as His warm, loving, and forgiving embrace, as you listen to the words of absolution spoken by Christ Himself through the ministerial role of His priest.

Knowing God's Will

Here is a two-minute long video clip from one of Father Larry Richard’s great video teachings entitled, Knowing God’s Will.

Please take some time to explore the many valuable resources available on Father Larry Richards' website.