Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Apostle of the Eucharist
By Jean M. Heimann August 2 is the feast of St. Peter Julian Eymard, who is known as the "Apostle of the Eucharist" for his strong devotion to Jesus in the Holy Eucharist and for leading both clergy and laypeople to recognize and rediscover the significance of the Eucharist in their daily lives. He shared with others his own belief that the Eucharist is the chief means of progress in the spiritual life -- the manna which nourishes the soul in the desert and supplies the strength for the journey of life. Peter Julian Eymard was born to a poor family in La Mure d'Isère in southeastern France near Grenoble. From early childhood he led a holy life and demonstrated an intense devotion to the Eucharist. One day, five-year-old Peter Julian Eymard secretly strayed from his family home. His sister and half-sister looked everywhere for the boy and finally found him in the parish church, standing on a stool near the tabernacle. When they anxiously questioned him abo...