a first communion rememberence…
“One morning in May
or June, 1829, the aged clergyman came to our
house very early. Looking immediately for mother,
he withdrew with her to the garden. Presently
mother called me, and the reverend gentleman took
my hand and said: “Child, I had a very peculiar
dream concerning you last night. You must be
prepared as soon as possible to receive your first
holy Communion.” Mother remarked that I was
still very young, but withal no dunce ; she would
therefore make no objections. Then she inquired
on what day it was to take place. The clergyman
answered that it must occur on no other day than
the feast of St. Francis. Mother consulted the
almanac and was rejoiced to find that in that year
the feast of the saint coincided with that of Our
Lady of Victories, which was celebrated in a
solemn manner in our parish church, and, in a
sense, was also my mother’s (Mary Louisa Victoria)
patronal feast. It was now decided that I
should receive first Communion on that day
together with my sister Julia Ottilia, who was
about a year and a half older than I. A priest
gave us the necessary instruction. The immediate
preparation for Communion was well made. I
yearned for the happy moment when Our Lord
was to give Himself to me. I was greatly moved
when I received the Blessed Sacrament. My sponsor,
the aged canon, gave it to us and to our whole
family, who all approached the holy table at the
same time. When he ministered the sacred host
to me his tears flowed copiously, and he was so
moved that his voice almost failed him. I was
moved to tears also, but I do not remember
whether it was solely because Our Dear Saviour
came to me, or whether it was not also because I
saw the good old priest weep. I was very recollected
and filled with spiritual joy ; but the day did
not pass without some interior distractions caused
mostly by outward circumstances. This saddened
me the more because I had not expected it.”
