Little Nellie Organ, born in Waterford in 1903, made a profound impact on the Catholic religion, garnering attention from even the Pope following her short life. Prior to little Nellie’s death, the average age children would receive First Holy Communion was 14; after Nellie, it was 7.
A story reported from MGS Prayers tells the miraculous tale of Nellie Organ. Nellie was born the youngest of four children in 1903 in Waterford. Soon after her birth, her mother fell ill and died from tuberculosis. Fearing he would not be able to care efficiently for his four children, Nellie’s father placed her and her siblings into religious care.
Nellie and her sister were placed in the care of Good Shepherd in Cork, while her two brothers went to Brothers of Charity at Upton. Upon arrival at Good Shepherd, Nellie and her sister were diagnosed with whooping cough and were in hospital care for their first three months in Cork.
The nuns of Good Shepherd, however, almost immediately took notice of Nellie’s spiritual nature and “mystical aura.” Soon after her admittance to Good Shepherd, the little girl was also diagnosed with T.B., the same ailment that claimed the life of her late mother.
From that point on, Little Nellie remained steadfast in her spirituality. Nellie kept a statue of the Infant of Prague next her bed, and often spoke of her Holy God. The nuns were decided that ailing little Nellie should be permitted to receive her First Holy Communion, despite being only four years old.
Having received permission from the Bishop, Nellie received the sacrament on December 6, 1907.
Unfortunately, Nellie’s health still quickly deteriorated and she was found to also be suffering Caries, a condition that destroys the jaw. On February 2, 1908, Nellie passed away but only after weeping with joy in her final hours knowing that she would soon be meeting her Lord.
Nellie was laid to rest in her Communion dress at St. Joseph’s, the site which would become a shrine to many.
However, the nuns of Good Shepherd felt it was only appropriate that Nellie be laid to rest at Good Shepherd where she spent the majority of her short but blessed life.
After a year and a half, the nuns were granted permission to exhume Nellie’s body to move it to Good Shepherd. It was there that the most miraculous of events associated with Nellie was taken notice of.
Despite being buried for a year and a half, Nellie’s body was in perfect condition, with her pendant looking as if it had been shined up like new. Most spectacularly, it appeared that Nellie’s hair had grown since her burial.
Feeling a miracle was present, the Pope was notified of the events in Ireland. Hearing the story of Nellie Organ, the Pope Pius X felt moved enough that action must be taken to commemorate her life. It was then that the Pope changed the age of Communion from 14 to 7 years old, forever remembering Nellie, now known as Little Nellie of God.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Mary53 | Jun 09, 2012, 05:07 PM EDT
It is indeed a welcome change to see a child well taken care of by a religious order, especially one as unique as Nellie
Collette2 | May 03, 2012, 02:38 AM EDT
Lovely to hear something uplifting and memorial for a change about a child placed in religious care. Hopefully the boys faired well.
donal1951 | May 03, 2012, 12:18 AM EDT
In the Eastern Orthodox Churches, and indeed in most of the Eastern Rite churches affiliated with Rome, baptism, confirmation and first communion are given at infancy. There are certainly arguments that can be made for infancy, versus age seven, but 14 was too old.
jamieLM | May 01, 2012, 10:33 AM EDT
@SingleDonald, that's not true about Lutherans receiving First Communion at 14. It varies from one Lutheran Synod to another, but it's often taken at age 10 and Confirmation is usually at age 14. I have Lutheran friends.
IrelandNorth | May 01, 2012, 07:11 AM EDT
PhlutiePhan! Some years ago, Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council had a budget deficit. On examination their accounts they found that the bill for street lighting for the year was exactly of the same amount. So they swithched off all street lighting in the South County Dublin suburb for the year. Can't help wondering if the austericised denizens of DL might not have appreciated Luciferian illuminating of their area for the year.
SingleDonald | Apr 30, 2012, 11:22 AM EDT
I never learned about her, in Catholic Grade School. Also, I only now learned that Nellie was responsible for the age of receiving communion being reduced to 7. The Lutheran religion still has it as 14. Oh how fortunate we are today, with things like the Sauk Vaccine, and other medical breakthroughs! We don't have to worry about the many ailments which afflicted people a century ago. Finally, I believe hair usually grows, after a person dies. However, little Nellie not decomposing was a true miracle!!
SingleDonald | Apr 29, 2012, 10:59 AM EDT
What pretty child she was. How sweet and commited to our Lord in her illness.
FromPhoenix | Apr 28, 2012, 10:41 AM EDT
I remember being told this story when I made my own First Communion at age 6. I am fascinated by the photo of Nellie that is included in this article. I've done some research on post mortem photography - especially in the cases of deceased children. Her posture and appearance seem to mirror some of the photos I've seen. Do the editors know if this is one of those kinds of photos?
PhlutiePhan | Apr 28, 2012, 10:21 AM EDT
What is powerful is the immense faith and spirituality of this period of Irish history. What is going on in Ireland today, exported from the States, is a travesty and satanic in origin. According to the books and writings of Malachi Martin, the devil has infiltrated the Catholic Church and in Ireland he walks at midnight lighting the lamps in the public square.
hermitTalker | Apr 28, 2012, 10:10 AM EDT
I read her LITTLE NELLIE OF HOLY GOD book decades ago. It was a very powerful story of a young saint.