St. Peter Julian Eymard, (1811-1868) was born in La Mure d’Isère, France. When he was a child, he felt a strong calling to the priesthood and a devotion to Mary. He attempted to enter the Oblates of Mary Immaculate at age 18 but had to leave due to health problems. Eymard frequently had lung issues and migraines that disrupted his life. He tried to enter the priesthood again through the Diocese of Grenoble and was ordained a diocesan priest at the age of 23. After a few assignments he chose to join the Marists and entered the Society of Mary seminary in Lyon, France. By 1844 he had risen to the position of Provincial of the congregation. 

While visiting neighboring Marist communities, Eymard experienced the perpetual adoration of the Eucharist for the first time. His devotion to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament grew and he decided to start a Marist community specifically devoted to perpetual adoration. His vision wasn’t supported by his Marist superiors, though, so he eventually chose to leave the Society of Mary in order to start his new religious congregation.

In the late 1850’s he founded The Society of the Blessed Sacrament for men and, along with Marguerite Guillot, the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament for women. The congregation’s ministries were different from other Eucharist-centered groups at the time because, beside perpetual public adoration of the Eucharist, their goal was to nurture and to inspire those estranged from the Church to return and to educate those outside of the Church about the love of Christ. 

St. Peter Julian Eymard's contributions to Eucharistic spirituality earned him the title "Apostle of the Eucharist." His writings on the Eucharist, including the book "The Real Presence," continue to inspire and guide believers in their understanding of the Sacrament. St. Peter Julian Eymard, pray for us!