Saint John Eudes: A Nursing Priest Who Lived in a Barrel

John Eudes was born on November 14, 1601 near Ri, Normandy, France.

As a young man, he studied with the Jesuits at Caen and joined the Oratorian Fathers on March 25, 1623.  He was ordained a priest on December 20, 1625.

Immediately after ordination to the priesthood, John became ill and was bedridden for a whole year.  His recovery was slow, and for two years he could only pray, read, and take it easy.

Just as he was well enough to get around again, plague struck near the village where he was living.  He didn’t hesitate to ask for permission to go to nurse the sick and minister to their spiritual needs. 

When the plague disappeared in November of 1627, Fr. John went to Caen where he exercised his priesthood as a confessor, spiritual director, and preacher.  In 1630, however, plague struck Caen.  Once again, Fr. John began nursing the sick.  Because he had a good understanding of the nature of contagion, he put a huge wine cask in the middle of a field during the plague where he lived when not nursing the sick.  He did not want to contaminate his fellow priests or anyone else.  Benedictine nuns made sure he had enough food to get by.

When he was around 32 years old, Fr. John became a parish missionary.  He not only preached many missions, but he also started many religious communities to serve the needs of the people whom, he thought, were not adequately served.  For example, he founded, with Madeleine Lamy, the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Refuge in 1641.  From this congregation came the Sisters of the Good Shepherd two centuries later. 

John also severed his relationship with the Oratorians and founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary – the Eudists – for the purpose of educating priests and giving parish missions.  Throughout his priesthood, Father John had a strong devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Fr. John Eudes accomplished much in his life.  When examining his life, it seems that the 3-year period of illness and recovery were times when the seeds of pastoral action were taking seed and growth.  Then, when he was finally well, the seeds exploded in a flurry of amazing growth.

Fr. John Eudes died in Caen on August 19, 1909, and Pope Pius  IX canonize him on May 31, 1925.   Saint John Eudes’ feast day is April 19.