Founder of the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament
Points in common with the Curé d’Ars
Father Pierre-Julien Eymard and the Curé of Ars were both buried successively in the same shrine! (the Curé of Ars from 1905 to 1925, and Father Eymard from now on). In fact, many points bring together these two saints who were two friends.
Both coming from a simple and believing family, they were touched by their first communion and the grace of the real presence. Both suffered paternal refusal when faced with the desire to become a priest. Faced with the difficulties encountered, one left on a pilgrimage to La Louvesc and the other to ND du Laus.
Pierre-Julien Eymard was finally ordained on July 8, 1834 in the same chapel as the Curé of Ars (Grenoble seminary), and was appointed vicar in Chatte (Isère) for two and a half years (same duration as JM Vianney). He then became priest of Monteynard. The parishioners of the two priests were quickly touched by their prayer and their sense of sacrifice; we would note the same observations in both villages! Appointed director of the Collège de Belley in 1839, he joined the Society of Mary (Marists). He became provincial in 1844 then superior of the Third Order of Mary in 1845.
New fraternities
Mr. Vianney wanted to belong to this Third Order founded by Father Collin, his seminary classmate. Father Eymard came to Ars on December 8, 1846 to receive him as a member. Enthusiastic by the fruits of this work, Mr. Vianney quickly became its promoter. Julien Eymard then allowed the pastor of Ars to welcome the postulants and to establish new fraternities: “I am happy to send you the diploma which gives you all the powers to receive into the third order of Mary…”.
It was in the Chapel of Providence that the fraternities thus created met. In 1854, Father Eymard often came to Ars; Once he was dying, Mr. Vianney prayed for him and he left healed.
Apostle of the Eucharist
In 1856, he felt impelled to found a new religious congregation whose goal would be the worship of the Blessed Sacrament. He spoke about it to the holy priest who blessed this project. One day, during an 11 a.m. catechism class, he even specified: “The Good Lord prepares his works from afar.[…] we have proof of this in a holy priest who is religious; Our Lord began by giving him a love for the Blessed Sacrament. He will surely achieve what Our Lord desires […] This religious is Father Eymard, he will have a lot to suffer, let him not be discouraged…”. Until the end, the holy Curé supported this work and never ceased to encourage the founder.
In May 1859, their last interview took place in Ars. JM Vianney, already exhausted, rushed as soon as he learned of Father Eymard’s arrival; the latter reported to him the adventures and difficulties of his work, but he received the promise of Mr. Vianney’s prayers. Father Eymard died in La Mure in 1868. Beatified in 1925, canonized in 1962, he is considered the apostle of the Eucharist.
Extract from the Annales d’Ars n° 319[mars-avril 2009] .
