The Real Presence (annotated) by St Peter Julian Eymard

Eymard Library #1

by Peter Julian Eymard

THE works of Saint Peter Julian Eymard are recognized in the French world as classics of Eucharistic piety. In the hope they may become so in the English Catholic world, we are offering the public a new translation of them. Possibly no one has so insistently and perseveringly written or spoken of the Eucharist as Saint Eymard has. The Eucharist worked on the faculties of his soul like a magnet. His mind and heart, as if polarized, invariably swerved back towards their star, the Eucharist. He was never at a loss to discover some hidden link between the Eucharist and the subject under study. Like the "householder who bringeth forth out of his treasure new things and old," he drew all things out of the Eucharist for every purpose. In fact he looked at the world only through the "Divine prism of the mystery of the Eucharist." This Eucharistic approach to the problems of the soul is distinctive of his spirituality. Duty never came alone in its cold and austere stiffness but with something of our Eucharistic Lord in it that transformed it into a labor of love. The road that wound in and out of the shadow of the Cross was never a lonely one, for the Eucharistic Christ stood ever near with His strengthening and consoling companionship. The virtues were made lovable by being presented not in their native asperity but as actions of Jesus in the Eucharist. The result was a spirituality based on and motivated by love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. He made universal use of the Eucharist in his own life and advised others to do as much. In short, he laid down in theory and in practice that the Eucharist is the chief means of progress in spiritual life, the light which shows the way and supplies the needed strength to follow it. Unfortunately Saint Peter Julian never wrote nor even planned a complete treatise on the spiritual life, although his long experience with souls, his deep insight into their needs, his sure sense of the supernatural, and the stem logic of his mind eminently qualified him for such a task. However, in his sermons and letters of direction he touched practically every point of ascetical theology, so that there is in them sufficient matter for a comparatively complete study on the spiritual life. The present volume, The Real Presence, is a collection of sermons that deal almost exclusively with the wonders operated by our Lord's love in the Eucharist. From every page, Saint Peter Julian, the "Priest of the Eucharist," sends a ringing plea to all men to love our Eucharistic Lord as He deserves and to take Him as both the model and the means of their holiness. Pondering over these chapters cannot but make us know better and love more the Eucharistic Christ. And with a more practical understanding of this supereminent means of grace, the problem of salvation should be easier to solve. May His Eucharistic Kingdom come! That was Saint Peter Julian's most ardent wish.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1906

About the author

After his mother's death, he entered the novitiate of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in June 1822. His first attempt at seminary ended due to illness, but, after his father's death, he was admitted to the major seminary in Grenoble. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Grenoble on July 20, 1834.

In 1839, he joined the Marists, the Society of Mary, and worked as a spiritual advisor for seminarians and priests. In 1845, he was named Provincial Superior of the Society of Mary.

He founded two communities dedicated to the Blessed Sacrament: the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, in 1856, and - with the encouragement of John Vianney, the Cure d'Ars - the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament, in 1858.

He was declared venerable in 1908, beatified by Pope Pius XI on 12 July 1925, and canonized by Pope John XXIII on 9 December 1962. Pope John Paul II named Eymard "Apostle of the Eucharist".

See also Pierre Julien Eymard

Reviews

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this during my weekly holy hours. This saint's writings on the Real Presence are beautiful and draw the reader more deeply into this awesome mystery of the Catholic faith.

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been taking this book with me to Adoration for over a year. This book was first published back in the early 1900's, so the writing makes you pause. ponder and contemplate what he is saying. And yet, his wisdom is timeless. The chapters are based on St. Peter Julian Eymard's sermons on the Eucharist. The sermons helped me understand Jesus' real presence in the Eucharist, and why Adoration is so vital for our faith lives. Beautiful, and I know I will be rereading this as I continue my weekly hour of Adoration.

[Richard Grebenc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book written by the founder of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers (SSS). Short sections provide much food for thought as his love for the Eucharistic Jesus permeates each and every page. Beautiful insights will leave the reader pondering, in adoration or elsewhere, the wonders of this great gift that the Lord left for us.

[Jo Ann Preske · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Spiritual Journey

St Peter Julian Eymard gives a very beautiful and easy to read explanation of the complexity and miracles of the Eucharist. He interjects very detailed descriptions of how Jesus shows His love for us through the Eucharist. I would read this book again

[Lini · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books to help you love the Eucharist.

[Galicius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father Eymard opens these meditations encouraging us to recognize Our Savior’s presence in the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist and gives insight why Christ is hidden. He left behind His presence on earth not only his teachings but a “living personal reminder” of Himself at the Last Supper. His presence in the Sacrament is localized and tells us where He is. We should thank Him for his veiled presence. It is for our own good that “He shows Himself to our soul” and not to our eyes.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Understanding the Real Presence of the Blessed Sacrament or Eucharist is key to grasping the Catholic faith.

[Ivonne Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that inspired me to write The Rosary: Eucharistic Meditations, with St. Peter Julian Eymard, Apostle of the Eucharist.

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