St. Peter Julian Eymard

This energetic man with a vision and mission was a member of the Marist Fathers from 1840 (the year of St. Marcellin's death) until 1856, teaching in the seminary and even serving as provincial. His immense devotion to the Eucharist moved him to suggest that perpetual adoration become part of the rule for the Marist Fathers. When he was unable to gain support for this idea, he asked to be dispensed from his Marist vows, and began a new congregation, now known as the Blessed Sacrament Fathers, in which perpetual adoration is part of the way of life of these priests. He was also instrumental in the formation of an order of nuns, the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament, and a lay association, known as the Aggregates of the Blessed Sacrament. Founding congregations at a time when traces of Jansenism (an extremely harsh approach to spirituality, stressing our sinfulness and unworthiness, and condemned as a heresy) took courage. Frequent reception of Holy Communion was not sanctioned, but Eymard encouraged it, as the fruit of the hours spend in prayer and adoration before the Holy Sacrament. He also saw the extension of such devotion to works of charity and mercy, and made a special effort to reach out to the poor and needy.
The Blessed Sacrament Fathers still administer the parish of St. Jean Baptiste in Manhattan where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed 24 hours a day. It was in this parish that the Marist Brothers established their first school in New York in the 1890's, at first a grammar school, and then by an announcement made by the pastor without consulation with the brothers, a high school known for years as St. Anne's Academy. In 1957 St. Anne's became Archbishop Molloy High School in Briarwood, Queens, and today the Queen Anne Apartments occupy the land where St. Anne's Academy stood.
This piece of Marist history might well encourage us to a greater appreciation of the gift of the Eucharist, more frequent reception of it, and participation in adoration, as well as serve as a reminder that true devotion bears fruit in action.
Bro. Rene