Aug. 19, 2011 Friday: St. John Eudes
John Eudes was born in Normandy, France, in 1601. He was the oldest son of a farmer. Even as a child, he tried to copy the example of Jesus in the way he treated his family, friends, and neighbors. When he was only nine, another boy slapped his face. John felt himself becoming angry. Then he remembered Jesus’ words in the Gospel and offered his other cheek to the surprised boy.
John’s parents wanted him to marry and have a family. He gently but firmly convinced them that he had a priestly call. He joined the Congregation of the Oratory and studied for the priesthood. After John was a priest, the plague hit Normandy. It brought terrible suffering and death. Father Eudes volunteered to help the sick, caring for both their souls and bodies. Later, he became a popular preacher of missions in parishes. In fact, during his lifetime he preached 110 missions. St. John is responsible for the establishment of the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge. Father Eudes also started the Congregation of Jesus and Mary for priests. This Congregation was dedicated to training young men to become good parish priests.
St. John was very devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the Holy Heart of Mary. He wrote a book about these devotions. John became sick after he preached an outdoor mission in very cold weather. He never fully recovered. John died in 1680. He was proclaimed blessed by Pope St. Pius X in 1908. This pope called John Eudes the apostle of devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He was proclaimed a saint by Pope Pius XI in 1925.
-From Daughters of St. Paul
John’s parents wanted him to marry and have a family. He gently but firmly convinced them that he had a priestly call. He joined the Congregation of the Oratory and studied for the priesthood. After John was a priest, the plague hit Normandy. It brought terrible suffering and death. Father Eudes volunteered to help the sick, caring for both their souls and bodies. Later, he became a popular preacher of missions in parishes. In fact, during his lifetime he preached 110 missions. St. John is responsible for the establishment of the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge. Father Eudes also started the Congregation of Jesus and Mary for priests. This Congregation was dedicated to training young men to become good parish priests.
St. John was very devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the Holy Heart of Mary. He wrote a book about these devotions. John became sick after he preached an outdoor mission in very cold weather. He never fully recovered. John died in 1680. He was proclaimed blessed by Pope St. Pius X in 1908. This pope called John Eudes the apostle of devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He was proclaimed a saint by Pope Pius XI in 1925.
-From Daughters of St. Paul
