How a Toddler Inspired a Pope with her Understanding of the Eucharist

On June 18, 2021, the Government Media Center issued a press release. Sixty Catholic Democrats who were all members of the House of Representatives signed the release.  The document was called a “Statement of Principles.”  This document can be found all over the internet and at the highlighted link. I am just referencing the first paragraph.

 The essay that follows the congressional publication is the primary subject. That subject is the Holy Eucharist, also known as the Real Presence, and the respect, honor, and humility due to this most sacred gift God has given to us Catholics. To demonstrate the importance of the Holy Eucharist within the Catholic faith, we can reference from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

CCC1373:

“Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us, is present in many ways to His church.: in His word, in His Church’s prayer, “where two or three are gathered in my name,”  in the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned, in the sacraments of which He is the author, in the Sacrifice of the Mass, and in the person of the minister. But He is present most ESPECIALLY in the Eucharistic species.

 We also know that taking and/or destroying life is against the Fifth Commandment. “You shall not kill.”.

 CCC2258:

“Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God, and it remains for ever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being.”

 During the pandemic, we have often heard “go to the science.”  Therefore, let us go to the science and ask the question, When does Life begin? To answer this I have left a link to Princeton University. This is about science, not Church politics. If a person should have the power and authority to pass laws that allow for the destruction of human life and they do that very thing, there will be a point in time where that will be on them. There is no escaping it.

 Psalm 139:13 “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.”  Yes, we are all God’s individual creations and none of us have  the right to end that life whether or not directly or indirectly.

 The remainder of this essay will tell the story of a little girl who loved the Holy Eucharist with all of her heart. The honor and devotion she gave to “Holy God” were so profound that it caused Pope St. Pius X to lower the age for children to receive Holy Communion from twelve to seven. Hopefully, some folks might reconsider the heavenly wonder within this great gift we know as the Holy Eucharist after reading this. It should NEVER be politicized.

 Meet Little Nellie Organ

 This is a story about a little girl known as "Little Nellie of Holy God." Her real name was Ellen Organ but everyone called her Nellie. By the time "Little Nellie" was two years old, she knew that God was truly present in the Holy Eucharist.

 On August 24, 1903, Ellen Organ was born in what was known as the "married quarters" of the Royal Infantry Barracks in Waterford, Ireland. Her dad, William, was a soldier in the British army. Shortly after Ellen's birth, she was baptized into the faith at the Church of the Trinity. No one knows why, but from that point on, Ellen Organ was called "Nellie."

 By the age of two, Nellie displayed a deep holiness rarely seen in a child, especially one so young. While walking to Mass holding her dad's  hand, she would constantly talk about seeing "Holy God." This was something she began saying without having heard such an expression. Even years later, her dad still admitted he had no idea why his daughter started saying "Holy God."

 Nellie was hugging her mom when she passed

 Little Nellie had two brothers and one sister; she was the youngest. In 1906, a great sadness entered their lives. Their mom, Mary Organ, became very ill with tuberculosis. Nellie stayed by her mom's side day after day, but her mom died after a short time. Nellie, who was only three, was hugging her mom when she passed on.

 Since he was in the army, Nellie's dad could not provide proper care for his children. Consequently, he turned to his parish priest for help. Thomas, the oldest at age nine, was sent to the Christian Brothers and David to the Sisters of Mercy. Mary and Nellie were taken in by the Good Shepherd Sisters in Cork City. They arrived there on May 11, 1907. The sisters treated them kindly and were very good to the girls. Nellie was happy to call all of the sisters "Mother."

 Nellie was three years and nine months old when she arrived at the Good Shepherd Sisters' home. A young girl named Mary Long slept next to Nellie. Nellie never complained, but Mary heard her crying and coughing during the night. She told the sisters, and Nellie was moved to the school infirmary.

 Upon examination, it was discovered that Nellie had a crooked spine (the result of a severe fall) that required special care.  Sitting up was very painful for the child, and sitting still for any length of time caused her great pain. Her hip and her back were out of joint. She was only three, and she tried to hide her pain. But she could not "fake" feeling well. All the sisters could do was make the child as comfortable as possible.

 Holy God’s Lockdown

 Nellie astonished the nuns with her insight and knowledge of the Catholic faith. The sisters and others that cared for Nellie Organ believed without reservation that the child was spiritually gifted. Nellie loved to visit the chapel, which she called "the House of Holy God." She referred to the tabernacle as "Holy God's lockdown."  And she embraced the Stations of the Cross. Upon being carried to each station, she would burst into tears seeing how Holy God suffered for us. She also developed an acute perception of the Blessed Sacrament.

 One day Nellie was given a box of beads and some string. Being a three-year-old, she put some in her mouth and inadvertently swallowed them. People saw her gagging and choking and rushed her into the infirmary. The doctor present was able to remove the beads from Nellie's throat.

 They were all amazed how brave the little girl remained as the doctor probed into her throat, removing the objects. She never made a sound. At this time, it was discovered that, just like her mom, she had advanced tuberculosis. The doctor told the sisters there was no hope for recovery and gave Nellie only a few months to live.

 Nellie loved the Holy Eucharist deeply. She would ask the sisters to kiss her when they were coming back from Communion so she could share their Holy Communion. She desperately wanted to receive her First Communion. But the rule of the Church was a minimum age of 12. Nellie was only three.

 The Child loved the Holy Eucharist deeply

 Nellie told of visions she was having of "Holy God" as a child and the Blessed Mother standing nearby. Her faith was so pronounced that the Bishop agreed (since she was close to death) to confirm her. She received her Confirmation on October 8, 1907. Then, on December 6, 1907, after considering all the facts, the local bishop, in consult with the priests, allowed Nellie Organ to receive her First Holy Communion. Nellie Organ died on February 2, 1908.

 Nellie Organ's story spread throughout Europe and reached the Vatican. It was presented to Pope Pius X by his Secretary of State, Cardinal Merry del Val. It was providential because the Holy Father had been looking for a reason to lower the age of receiving First Communion to the age of seven but was not sure about doing it.

 When Pius X read the documents about "Little Nellie of Holy God," he immediately took this as a sign to lower the age. The Pope immediately issued a Papal Decree called Quam Singulari, changing the age of receiving First Holy Communion from 12 years old to age seven.

 Pope Pius X, who would become St. Pius X, took up his pen and wrote, "May God enrich with every blessing ---all those who recommend frequent Communion to little boys and girls, proposing Nellie as their model."

 Pope Pius X. June 4, 1912."

 copyright© LarryPeterson 2021