THE LITTLE GIRL WHO INSPIRED THE CHANGE IN THE AGE FOR RECEIVING COMMUNION

Who helped inspire Pope Pius X to lower the age for First Communion?

Ellen Organ never reached the age of five, yet her love for the Blessed Sacrament elevated her to the heights of holiness.

Born in County Waterford, Ireland, in 1903, Ellen Organ—better known as Nellie—was the fourth child of poor but deeply devout Catholic parents. Her father, facing unemployment early in his marriage, chose to become a soldier in the British Army rather than emigrate. The family was stationed first in Waterford, then in Cork.

Nellie's mother, Mary, died of tuberculosis in early 1907, and William—faced with the reality that he could not work and care for his children—placed them in the care of religious communities. Nellie went to stay with the Good Shepherd Sisters, along with her sister Mary.

Here the "little violet of the Blessed Sacrament" spent the rest of her life, both in profound suffering and in holiness that seemed beyond her years. Her angelic disposition and Heaven-sent intuition about spiritual things endeared her to the sisters and convinced them that this was a very special child.

Nellie had a tender love for "Holy God," as she had always called Him. She was particularly drawn to the Blessed Sacrament and knew from the beginning exactly what—or rather, who—this Sacrament was. She loved seeing Our Lord enthroned in the monstrosity, and she longed to receive Him. She would ask those who had been at Mass to kiss her so that she could somehow participate in their Communions.

But Nellie suffered a serious spinal injury, caused by a fall as a baby. This injury would cause her terrible pain, yet she did not complain, enduring everything with fortitude even though she was unable to walk much of the time and had to be carried. A painful jaw disease and, eventually, tuberculosis would also bring her life to an early end.

In view of her probable death and her deep understanding of the sacraments and the truths of the faith, Nellie was able to receive her Confirmation, First Confession, and First Communion, even though she was far below the normal age. Her ecstasy upon receiving Our Lord for the first time and each time thereafter—32 times in total—was heavenly.

Little Nellie died in February 1908. Around this time, a white-robed man in Rome had been considering lowering the age for Holy Communion. According to a monsignor familiar with the matter, Pope Pius X heard about little Nellie and, turning to his cardinal secretary, said, "There! That's the sign I've been waiting for!"

Quam Singulari, the decree lowering the age for First Communion, was promulgated in 1910.