Ellen Organ

"Little Nellie of Holy God"

Ellen Organ (August 24, 1903 – February 2, 1908), known as Little Nellie of Holy God, was born in Waterford City, Ireland, the daughter of William Organ and Mary Ahern.  While baptised Ellen, she was always called Nellie.  Nellie is venerated by some in the Roman Catholic Church for her precocious spiritual awareness and mystical life. Particularly dedicated to the Eucharist, the story of her life inspired Pope Pius X to admit young children to Holy Communion. In 1910, Pope Pius X issued the decree Quam singulari, which lowered the age of Holy Communion for children from 12 years to around 7. 

Nellie was the youngest of four children.  Her father had been a laborer but earning very little, he joined the army in 1897.  In 1905 he was transferred to Spike Island, an island fort situated in Cork harbour.  Here, while the family hoped for better times, Ellen's mother Mary fell ill, and for over a year she struggled to raise her family as her health declined. In January 1907 she died of tuberculosis. With four children all under the age of nine, William found it difficult to raise them and maintain his job.  Nellie, already a delicate child, was displaying signs of disability: it seems a serious fall as a baby had left its mark. Her spine had become crooked, her hips and back, out of joint, caused her constant pain and as she grew up she became unable to sit up straight. William realized he could not care for the children himself and, in May 1907, he put each of his four children into care. Nellie and her sister Mary were sent first to a hospital run by the Sisters of Mercy; the two girls were found to be suffering from Whooping Cough. Later they went to Saint Finbarr's Industrial School in Sunday's Well in Cork City, administered by the Good Shepherd Sisters. 

Nellie lived for eight months under the care of the Good Shepherd Sisters, spending most of her time in the infirmary.  She loved to visit the chapel which she called the House of Holy God, and  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 Nellie burst into tears. It is here 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 it led some Catholics to believe that she had what is referred to as the mystical gift of "discernment".

Meanwhile, Nellie began to claim to have visions. She related how she saw Christ – usually as a little child like herself – and the Virgin Mary. On a number of occasions she claimed to have seen the Infant of Prague dancing for her.  Nellie's already precocious faith was growing, and those who came to know her testified to her holiness. She so impressed the sisters they began to entertain the possibility of recommending the child for the sacrament of confirmation. Contacting the local bishop, he agreed, and she was confirmed on October 8, 1907. 

Nellie soon began to ask to receive Holy Communion. At first the sisters hesitated, as she was too young for that sacrament. Wondering if she understood what the Eucharist was, they observed her at prayer in the chapel and saw that she was captivated by the tabernacle.  During Mass when her carers came back from Communion, Nellie would ask them to kiss her so she could somehow share in their Communion.

According to the rules of the Roman Catholic Church no child could receive Communion before a certain age. A four-year-old child was thought to be at least six years too young. The sisters spoke with a Jesuit priest who ministered to the community, and while he was hesitant, he decided to come to speak to the child. After spending some time with Nellie, he came to the conclusion that she had reached the age of reason, albeit at an extraordinarily young age. He brought the matter to the bishop's attention, who consented, and Ellen Organ made her First Communion on December 6, 1907.

Between December of 1907 and February of 1908, Nellie's health declined. She was in constant pain. Given the times, there was little that could be done. The sisters tried to make her as comfortable as possible. Various visitors, including the Bishop of Cork, noticed her fortitude and her intense prayer life. She was constantly happy. At this stage tuberculosis had set in and she was suffering from caries, making it difficult and painful for her to eat. The mouth disease caused a horrible odour which her caregivers treated with disinfectant.  Nellie did not complain of the pain this caused her as she instead, holding the crucifix in her small hands, contemplated the pain that Christ endured during the crucifixion, stating, "Poor Holy God. Poor Holy God."  It was noted by the sisters and nurses that after she began receiving Holy Communion, the smell completely disappeared. Nellie was also aware that she was going to die soon, and this did not trouble her: it made her happy – in fact she was looking forward to it.

After four years of life, Ellen Organ died on February 2, 1908. Witnesses said she appeared to see something at the foot of her bed which caused her to smile and her eyes to well with tears.  Nellie followed that something with her eyes, looking overhead, when she died. 

Nellie was buried in Saint Joseph's Cemetery in the city of Cork. A year later, In 1909 her body was exhumed, and it appeared unchanged from the day of her burial, with her limbs flexible and her dress and Communion veil like new.  Her grave in the public cemetery attracted visitors from all over Ireland, as a result of which authorization was given for her remains to be transferred to the cemetery of the Good Shepherd Sisters. 

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This website is a lay project for the cause for the Canonization of Little Nellie.

Little Nellie of Holy God, ora pro nobis