BLESSED SACRAMENT COMMUNITY

Congregation of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

The Founder:

St. Peter Julian Eymard.

St. Peter Julian Eymard was born on February 4^th, 1811 at La Mure d'Isere, in France, in the diocese of Grenoble.  He was a contemporary of famous men like Victor Hugo, a write, Louis Pasteur, a Scientist, Augustine Rodin, a Sculptor, and John Vianney (Cure d'Ars).  According to his writings his best friend was Jesus Christ Present in the Holy Eucharist.  He was born in to a poor family under testing circumstances.  And his vocation to the religious life and priesthood also underwent a severe test.  Due to poor health he was rejected by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate at the Novitiate.  Later he became a diocesan priest with the help of Bishop Eugine de Mazenod.  He was ordained a priest on July 20^th 1834.  His dedication to the Eucharist also included a devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus.  Thus he as a priest joined the Marists Order of Priests.  He was appointed Provincial Superior of the Society of Mary in 1845 at the age of 34.  Later, being captivated by the love of Jesus in the Eucharist, consecrated himself of entirely in the propagation of the 'selfless love of Jesus in the Eucharist' by founding a Congregation of Religious consisting of priests brothers and sisters. He founded the Congregation of the Most Blessed Sacrament in 1856 at the age of 45.  The life and mission of the Congregation can be sumed up in the present Rule of the Congregation:  "Following in the footsteps of Father Eymard, our mission is to respond to the hunger of the human family with riches of God's love manifested in the Eucharist.  Drawing life from the Bread given for the life of the world, we proclaim in thanksgiving prayer the Passover of Christ, and we welcome the Lord Jesus in his eucharistic presence by a prolonged prayer of adoration and contemplation.  Formed by the Sacrament of the New Covenant, which frees us from the dominian of sin, we commit ourselves to building  up the Body of Chrst. By our life and mission we share in the mission of the Church, so that the Eucharist may be celebrated in truth that the faithful may grow in their communion with the Lord through Eucharistic adoration in the setting up of exposition, that they may commit themselves to the renewal of their Christian communities, and collaborate in liberating individuals and society from the forces of evil.  United in the Spirit with those who are poor and weak, we oppose everything which degrades human dignity and we proclaim a most just and brotherly world as we await the coming of the Lord". 

Peter Julian Eymard diedon on August 1^st, 1868 at the age of 57, which remains the feast day of the Saint.  He was canonized a Saint on December 9, 1962, at the end of the first session of the Second Vatican Council by Pope John XXIII.  The Congregation has communities right throughout the world.