St Peter Julian Eymard

Saint of the Day: St. Peter Julian Eymard

August 2nd is the optional memorial of St. Peter Julian Eymard, priest.

St. Peter Julian Eymard helped many Catholics - both clergy and laypeople - to rediscover the importance of the Eucharist. He is also considered a pioneer in involving laypeople more actively in the life of the Church.

Peter Julian Eymard was born near Grenoble, France, in 1811. He had wanted to enter the priesthood but his father forbade him because he wanted Peter Julian to take over the family business.

Finally, at the age of 18, he was permitted to join the Oblate novitiate. However, he got so ill that he was sent back home to die. However, Peter Julian made a remarkable recovery and entered the seminary once again after his father died. He was ordained to the diocesan priesthood in 1834 but later joined the Marists.

In 1851, he heeded a call to establish a community of men dedicated to Eucharistic Adoration, called the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. Its mission was to promote the importance and significance of the Eucharist. The congregation also worked with the poor and helped them to prepare for first Communion. The founder died in 1868 and was canonized in 1962. He was named Apostle of the Eucharist.


Favorite Quotes:

"Love cannot triumph unless it becomes the one passion of our life. Without such passion we may produce isolated acts of love; but our life is not really won over or consecrated to an ideal. Until we have a passionate love for our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament we shall accomplish nothing."

"The Eucharist is the work of a measureless love that has at its service an infinite power, the omnipotence of God."

"Have a great love for Jesus in his divine Sacrament of Love; that is the divine oasis of the desert. It is the heavenly manna of the traveller. It is the Holy Ark. It is the life and Paradise of love on earth."

"Hear Mass daily; it will prosper the whole day. All your duties will be performed the better for it, and your soul will be stronger to bear its daily cross. The Mass is the most holy act of religion; you can do nothing that can give greater glory to God or be more profitable for your soul than to hear Mass both frequently and devoutly. It is the favorite devotion of the saints."