St. John Eudes
Feast Day: August 19
“Jesus lives in us with His infinite love, and we must let Him reign in our hearts.” – St. John Eudes
Apostle of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary
St. John Eudes is honored as a priest, missionary, and founder, known for spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and for his tireless work in forming holy priests. His feast day, celebrated on August 19, commemorates his life of deep prayer, charity, and dedication to the renewal of the Church.
A Priest Formed by the Oratorians
John Eudes was born in 1601 in Normandy, France, into a devout farming family. Drawn to the priesthood from a young age, he was ordained in 1625 and joined the Oratory of France, a society of priests focused on preaching and spiritual formation.
He soon became a renowned missionary preacher, traveling from town to town, calling people to repentance, deeper devotion, and love for God.
Founder of Seminaries and Religious Orders
John saw that the spiritual renewal of the Church depended on well-formed, holy priests. At a time when seminaries were rare, he founded several to ensure that priests were trained not only in theology but in virtue, holiness, and pastoral care.
In 1643, he founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (the Eudists), devoted to the formation of clergy and the evangelization of the faithful.
Promoter of Devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary
John Eudes was one of the first great promoters of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. His writings and teachings emphasized that the heart of Jesus is the symbol of God’s infinite love, and the heart of Mary is the perfect model of virtue, purity, and maternal care for souls.
His efforts prepared the way for the wider spread of the Sacred Heart devotion that would later be revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.
Patron of the Formation of Priests
St. John Eudes is the patron saint of the formation of priests, reflecting his lifelong commitment to ensuring that the Church’s shepherds are holy, well-formed, and deeply in love with Christ and His people.
A Witness to Love, Holiness, and the Hearts of Jesus and Mary
St. John Eudes’s life reminds the faithful that the heart of Christianity is the love of Christ, and that devotion to the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts draws us ever deeper into the mystery of God’s mercy, love, and grace.
St. John Eudes, pray for us!