Herald of the Two Hearts

Saint John Eudes (1601–1680) stands as one of the Church’s greatest promoters of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Often called the “Apostle of the Hearts” and even the “Father, Doctor, and Apostle of the liturgical devotion to the Sacred Hearts”, he brought these treasures of love into the public prayer of the Church through special Masses and Offices dedicated to them. He was a man of burning zeal after the spirit of the Council of Trent, laboring tirelessly to renew both clergy and laity. He founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary—known as the Eudists—to form priests in holiness and mission, and the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity to rescue and restore women trapped in cycles of sin and exploitation. Through his missionary preaching, countless hearts were converted, and his writings continue to inflame love for Christ and His Mother.

From Normandy Fields to a Missionary Heart

John was born on November 14, 1601, in the small farming village of Ri, Normandy, to devout parents Isaac Eudes and Martha Corbin. From childhood, he showed a deep love for prayer and a tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Educated by Jesuits at Caen, he discerned a call to the priesthood and joined the French Oratory in 1623. Ordained in 1625, he soon distinguished himself for his eloquence, holiness, and pastoral sensitivity.
His priestly ministry quickly met its first great test when plague struck Normandy in 1627 and again in 1631. Determined to serve the sick without endangering his fellow priests, he lived outdoors in a large wine cask, ministering daily to the dying. These early years formed his lifelong conviction that true devotion must be expressed in sacrificial love. It was also during this time that his focus sharpened on the desperate need for holy priests and the spiritual care of those marginalized by society—two priorities that would define his mission.

The Builder of Devotion and Charity

As John traveled throughout France preaching parish missions, he became known for his fiery calls to conversion and his ability to revive parishes in faith and discipline. In 1641, he founded the Order of Our Lady of Charity, providing a safe refuge for women and girls seeking to leave lives of prostitution and reclaim their dignity in Christ. Two years later, when the Oratory declined to undertake seminary work, John left to establish the Congregation of Jesus and Mary. This new community would dedicate itself to the spiritual and intellectual formation of priests—a work he saw as essential for the renewal of the whole Church.
John was not content to limit devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary to private prayer. He composed the first liturgical texts for these devotions, ensuring they would be celebrated publicly by the Church. In 1648 he celebrated the first feast of the Holy Heart of Mary, and in 1672, the first feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Long before these devotions became universally recognized, he had already embedded them in the rhythm of the Church’s worship. His masterpiece, Le Cœur admirable de la très sainte Mère de Dieu, remains one of the most profound explorations of Marian spirituality ever written. Among his many exhortations, one stands out: “He belongs to you, but more than that, He longs to be in you, living and ruling in you.”

Trials of a Shepherd’s Soul

John’s zeal for reform and his promotion of new feasts often brought him into conflict with powerful currents in the Church of France, particularly with Jansenist influences that opposed certain expressions of devotion. He also faced resistance from those wary of his departure from the Oratory to found a new congregation. Yet, John met these trials with unwavering patience and charity, never allowing criticism to harden his heart. Although he was never martyred in blood, his perseverance amid opposition was a form of white martyrdom—a steady dying to self in fidelity to Christ’s call. Until his final breath on August 19, 1680, in Caen, he poured himself out in preaching, forming priests, and promoting love for the Two Hearts.

Grace Beyond the Grave

After his death, John’s reputation for holiness spread quickly. Many reported favors and healings attributed to his intercession. The Eudist community he founded carried his mission into new lands, ensuring his legacy would endure far beyond 17th-century France. His body, originally buried at the Eudist seminary in Caen, was transferred in 1810 to Notre-Dame-de-la-Gloriette, where pilgrims still come to venerate him. In 1909, Pope Pius X beatified him, praising him as the “father of the devotion to the Sacred Hearts”. On May 31, 1925, Pope Pius XI canonized him, placing him before the whole Church as a model of priestly holiness, missionary zeal, and tender devotion to Christ and His Mother.

Living the Eudist Way Today

The life of Saint John Eudes calls us to a love that is both contemplative and active. He teaches that the Hearts of Jesus and Mary are not simply objects of our devotion, but the very source and pattern of our own spiritual life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that devotion to the Sacred Heart adores the incarnate Word and His heart (CCC 478), and Marian devotion leads us unfailingly to her Son (CCC 971). Eudes invites us to let these Hearts live within us, shaping our thoughts, desires, and actions. In practice, that means making room for the Eucharist, seeking regular confession, and finding ways to serve those who are spiritually or physically abandoned. His life shows us that true devotion always overflows into concrete acts of mercy and a steadfast commitment to holiness.

Engage with Us!

I’d love to hear how Saint John Eudes’ witness lands in your story. Share your reflections below and encourage someone else today with a word of hope from the Two Hearts.

1. Where is Jesus inviting me to let His Heart “live and rule” in my decisions this week?
2. How can I unite devotion (prayer) and mission (mercy) the way Eudes did for the sick and the poor?
3. What one step can I take to form my conscience and serve my parish more intentionally?

Let’s pray for one another, support each other’s efforts, and strive to do everything with love—just as our Lord Jesus did.

Saint John Eudes, pray for us! 🌟

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