Her Body Was Exhumed

Ellen Organ(August 24, 1903 February 2, 1908), known asLittle Nellie of Holy God, was an Irish child, venerated by some in theRoman Catholic Churchfor her precocious spiritual awareness and alleged mystical life. Particularly dedicated to theEucharist, the story of her life inspiredPope Pius Xto admit young children toHoly Communion. In 1910, Pope Pius X issued the decreeQuam singulari, which lowered the age of Holy Communion for children from 12 years to around 7. She loved to visit the chapel which she called the House of Holy God, and she was fascinated by the statues and images on display, and in particular by the Stations of the Cross. When told the story of the suffering and death of Jesus she burst into tears. It is claimed that she developed a mysterious awareness of the Blessed Sacrament. One story relates how she knew a member of staff had not been to Mass that day, even though the young woman said she had. You did not get Holy God today the child said. This episode and others like