St. Peter Julian Eymard

St. Peter Julian Eymard founded religious communities devoted to the Eucharist and helped workers and neglected adults prepare for Holy Communion.

The story

Peter Julian Eymard was born on February 4, 1811, at La Mure in southeastern France. From childhood he desired the priesthood, although his father initially opposed the plan. In 1829 Peter entered the novitiate of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, but poor health forced him to leave. After further study in the Diocese of Grenoble, he was ordained a priest on July 20, 1834. He served in parish ministry at Le Châtelard and Monteynard.

In 1839 Father Eymard joined the Society of Mary, or Marists. He became known as a capable preacher, spiritual director, and superior. During these years his devotion to the Eucharist deepened. He came to believe that the Church needed a religious community dedicated especially to Eucharistic worship and to leading people toward fruitful reception of Holy Communion. After a long period of discernment, he left the Marists with ecclesiastical permission.

In Paris in 1856, Father Eymard founded the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. Its members promoted solemn Eucharistic worship, preached, and prepared people for the sacraments. He paid particular attention to poor workers and adults who had never made their First Communion. In 1858, with Marguerite Guillot, he established the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament, a women's congregation devoted to prayer and Eucharistic service. His work united adoration with catechesis and active concern for people overlooked by society.

Years of labor, travel, financial hardship, and internal difficulty weakened his health. Peter Julian returned to La Mure in July 1868 and died there on August 1. Pope Pius XI beatified him in 1925. Pope St. John XXIII canonized him on December 9, 1962, during the first session of the Second Vatican Council. His optional memorial is celebrated on August 2. He is remembered as an apostle of the Eucharist because he taught Catholics to encounter in the Blessed Sacrament the living Christ who gathers, nourishes, and sends his Church.

What Peter teaches

St. Peter Julian teaches that Eucharistic adoration and service of others belong together. The Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life, as the Church teaches in CCC 1324.

Patronage

Eucharistic devotion, First Communicants, priests, Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament.

Prayer

St. Peter Julian, lead us to deeper faith in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Pray that our worship may bear fruit in charity, reverence, and service to the neglected. Amen.