The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-10-02
The vsnsssbl. Psre Eudss.

The yeuoyoble Zero 6ud0e.
The great lights of theology and of I
science of holy living who are the glory
| the reign of Louis XIV are known, in q
nresent age of universal research, far Il
than they deserve to be. For informatff
about them it is not easy to say where 4
ouollt to look. 1t is often not found VIII
| it might reasonably be sought for. Thu
the eminent French historian, Franc
Eudes de Mezeray, does not mention
any of his writings Except his willy L
brother, the Father John Eudes the zeal&
missioner, the eloquent preacher, the orr
nator of a congregation OF PrAaets, n
founder of an order of religious wom#
and Sc the first Apostle of the Sac
Hearts of Jesus and Mary" The u
need of the books to tell US somethi
about him, for he was no common man
his own line of duty, which was the bid
est to which any man can be called.
us briefly recapitulate the facts OF his 4
and of his work. John Eudes was born
the first year of the seventeenth centus
and he died in 1880. His parents we
pious people. He was known and esteeI
ed by Cardinal Richelieu and by mad
other persons Of distinction in the Cou
and even by the Grand Monarque himsel
And what is even more than this, he vi
revered and beloved by the people at lar5
For fifty years he labored to instruct 81
to convert, to touch the hearts of simmer
not only in the cities but in remote c0unt&
districts. Pulpit eloquence was not 6ou|I
ishing in France when Father John EudN
began his work. There had indeed be-
already few examples of high excellend
such as had been heard in the preaching
Edmond Anger, Pierre Cotton, and q
Francis de Sales, but French sermons
the most part were at that period mold
of everything that was to be avoided. Il
classical quotations, allegories, verbal col
ceits, inflated phraseology, wire drawn al
gument or dull moralizing formed I'll
staple of most discourses. An uncommd
degree of originality and power was need&
to work reform. One day in the vel
1852 when young priest was going dow
from the pulpit the celebrated CamuB
Bishop of Belley, the friend of st. FrancI|
de Sales, was amongst the audience, au
said,-
I have heard many preachers in my time,
have heard the best in Italy as well a. +
but have never heard one who spoil
to the heart as this young priest does.
The truth was that Father John Eude(
was then doing in the north of France I'd
same work that the great St. John Framed
had studied first under the Jesuits at Cae&
and afterwards with the Oratorians al
Paris, his success at both places was onls
equalled by his exemplary holiness. Earlp
in life he became devoted to the SacreR
Hearts of Jesus and Mary. His whole ell
stence was absorbed in this devotion, and
in l64l he resolved to devote himself I'll
it in France. Hence he is called
Dy his disciples the first Apostle of Cid
sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary" Blessed
Margaret Mary, it will be recollected, wa{
'nly born in l647, and it was on the 9th a
february in the year following that Father
Iudes celebrated the first feast in honor Of
he " Admirable" heart of Mary and the
Divine heart of Jesus; those two names 90
united in the devotion Of
'atholics. PROFESSIONALLY there were
many holy persons at much earlier period
1ho specially honored those Sacred Hearts,
mt Pere Ange le Dore abundantly proves
hat it was Father Eudes who first, after
reat deliberation, meditation, and prayer,
ave the devotion that form which it has
nee preserved in the Church. From this
we may perhaps be justified
hoping that his Qualification, the process
which has already commenced, may be-
rounded chiefly on the sweet and strong
eviction to the IS. Hearts of which he was
he founder. Successive Popes approved
I'd sanctioned his pious and charitable
one of them being the order of
e Good Shepherd, which has attained and
Ill effects such extensive benefits inI
'ance, and even in England, and in other
untries. Lastly, he founded congrega-
On of priests to carry on the works he
a commenced; they were popularity call.
Eudlsts," but the name he gave them
rs the Congregation of Jesus and Mary.
all his works it was his great study to
mccall himself, and during his lifetime he
cceeded SO far that few except his own
sclples were acquainted with the full
eatness of his marvellous labors and their
NAL success. For twenty years he was
Oratorian; then he formed his own Con-
egation, the work of which was the train
: up of priests. There was ALWAYS a
ong friendship between the Eudists and
, Jesults, and both equally incurred the
tired of the Jansenists. The devotion to
Sacred Hearts was the bond of union
tween the two orders. The process of
canonization of +. John Eudes is for
present suspended, owing to the pre-
.tur@ death of the Superior General of
Order, but there is no doubt of his
me being ultimately enrolled amongst
Army of the Saints, as a leader in that
rious cohort which forms the crown of
French Church of the 18th century,
hprlsing such names in its first rank as
use of St. John Francis Regis. St. Vim
IL de Paul, st. Germaine Cousin, the
'ssed Peter Fourier, the Blessed Mary of 4
Observation-Disclosures Tablet.
BARBARIAN WApr.,, W. ,.Y