Saint Of The Week- St. John Eudes (1601-1680)

Greetings!
Saint of the Week:

A Saint is often an ordinary person who has lived an extraordinary life of virtue and faith. As Catholics we should use these exemplars to inspire us in our daily lives.

St. John Eudes (1601-1680)

He was born of a farming family at Ri Orne, in Northwestern France. His brother would become a famous historian and he became a Saint. He spent his childhood in Normandy at Argentan. He was called to the religious life early and took a vow of chastity in his mid teens. He began his religious studies with the Jesuits at Caen. He published his Voluntary Abnegation by the age of eighteen and was ordained in the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri at Paris. A plague broke out in Caen and St. John decided to care for the sick personally. To protect his brethren in the order, he lived in a large barrel in a field. He was appointed Superior of the Oratory in Caen but after a few years decided to follow his deeper calling. He became a missionary to the area parishes. He excelled in this work and followed the example of St. Vincent de Paul. He was concerned with the proper preparation of priests and founded four seminaries at Caen, Coutances, Lisieux and Rouen. They were based on a deep knowledge of theology and a commitment to pastoral duties. He also helped young women who had been led astray by starting the Sisters of Charity of the Refuge. He promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Pope Leo XIII gave him the title "Author of the Liturgical Worship of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Holy Heart of Mary"

This week pray a Rosary in his honor, his feast day is August 19th.

Submitted by: Robert's Heirloom Rosaries