Angelic Communion of Blessed Emilia Bicchieri

Blessed Emilia Bicchieri (1238-1314) was a remarkable woman of faith who founded the first convent for the Dominican Third Order Regular sisters in Vercelli, Italy. Born as the fourth of seven sisters to a noble family, she inherited from her father the material means to build the Convent of St. Margaret in 1256, establishing a religious community that would become foundational for Dominican sisters throughout history.

About this miracle

Throughout her life, Blessed Emilia nurtured an extraordinary devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. This devotion was so profound that missing Holy Communion caused her deep spiritual distress. One day, while performing the corporal works of mercy by caring for a fellow sister who was gravely ill in the infirmary, Blessed Emilia lost track of time. Her charitable service to the sick sister meant she arrived at the chapel at the end of Holy Mass, after the distribution of Communion had concluded. Unable to receive her beloved Lord in the Eucharist, she was filled with profound regret.

Kneeling in prayer before the altar, Blessed Emilia poured out her heart to the Lord, expressing her sorrow for having missed the opportunity to receive Him sacramentally. Her prayer was marked by genuine contrition and burning desire for union with Christ in the Eucharist. In response to her fervent devotion and love, Heaven intervened in a miraculous way. Suddenly, an angel appeared before her, sent by God to console and nourish this faithful servant. The angel administered Holy Communion to Blessed Emilia, bringing her the Body of Christ that her soul so ardently desired.

This miracle demonstrates several profound theological truths. First, it reveals that God honors those who sacrifice receiving the Eucharist out of charity—Blessed Emilia had missed Mass because she was caring for a sick sister, placing love of neighbor before even her own spiritual consolation. Second, it shows that sincere contrition and desire for the Eucharist moves the heart of God. Third, it affirms the ancient Christian belief in the ministry of angels in relation to the sacraments. Finally, it demonstrates that no act of charity goes unrewarded by God, especially when it involves sacrifice of spiritual goods for the sake of others.

Blessed Emilia lived to the age of 76, dying on her birthday, May 3, 1314. Her holiness of life and the miracles associated with her devotion to the Eucharist led to her beatification by Pope Clement XIV on July 19, 1769. Her feast day is celebrated on May 3, and she remains an inspiring model of Eucharistic devotion and charitable service for Dominican sisters and all the faithful.

Church recognition

This ancient miracle has historical acceptance and tradition within the Church spanning centuries, though no surviving formal documentation has been found.

She was beatified as foundress of Dominican Third Order Regular. The Vatican's ordinary magisterial archives do not contain a separate, officially-issued decree, apostolic letter or papal bull recording a distinct Eucharistic miracle in an unidentified Italian locality between 1238 and 1314.

Recognition status cross-referenced using Magisterium AI, a third-party tool that searches a corpus of Catholic Church documents. This does not constitute official Church verification.

Sources & references

• 1
  Miraculous Communions - Carlo Acutis Exhibition
• 2
  Beneath Mary's Mantle: Bl. Emily Bicchieri - Dominican Monastery
• 3
  Bl. Emily Bicchieri - Catholic Online
• 4
  Bl. Emily Bicchieri - Monastery of Our Lady of Grace
• 5
  Emilia Bicchieri - Wikipedia