St. John Eudes

St. John Eudes (1601-1680) was the son of a farmer in Normandy, France. He joined the religious community of the Oratorians and was ordained a priest at age 24. At age 32, he became a parish missionary. He preached over 100 parish missions, some lasting from several weeks to several months.

In his concern with the spiritual improvement of the clergy, he realized that the greatest need was for seminaries. He left the Oratorians and founded a new community, ultimately called the Eudists (Congregation of Jesus and Mary), devoted to the formation of the clergy by conducting diocesan seminaries.

He is probably best known for the central theme of his writings: Jesus as the source of holiness, Mary as the model of the Christian life. His devotion to the Sacred Heart and to the Immaculate Heart of Mary led Pius XI to declare him the father of the liturgical cult of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. His Feast Day is August 19.