P.O.L.A. 61ST FOUNDATION ANNIVERSARY
Message from the Provincial
I would like to begin by this short tale about two angels.
The story is told of two angels coming down to earth early one morning, each carrying a basket on his arm. The basket of one of them got filled up in no time at all, while that of the other remained empty.
Said the one with the empty basket to the other: “What have you been collecting in your basket that it got filled up so quickly?”
“Petitions,” replied the other, “Petitions and supplications for all kinds of favors. And you?”
“Oh, I have been collecting ‘thanksgiving.’”
So I would like to ask a favor of each and every one of you, brother-Sacramentinos.
Let the angel with an empty basket witness and be overwhelmed by the multiplication of his collections as we give glory to God, offer him our gratitude and express our thanksgiving for the 61st commemoration and celebration of the coming and establishment of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament on Philippine soil this August 15, the Solemnity of Our Lady of the Assumption.
I’m sure you all still have fond memories of our 60th Anniversary grand celebration last year. This year’s celebration, though simple as it is celebrated in each community/parish only, does not mean the celebration is less significant. No, we celebrate with our hearts filled with joy and thanksgiving for our God who continues to bless our family despite our unfaithfulness at times. Thus, let us unceasingly thank him and the people who are our partners along our Eucharistic path.
For the past 61 years, I can say with confidence that there are so many people who have greatly benefited spiritually from the services of the Sacramentinos, which was started by the American Blessed Sacrament priests and brothers from Saint Ann Province. It might have been with some trepidation but armed surely with strong missionary spirit that these men left their land and loved ones to share the Eucharistic charism-spirituality to their Filipino brothers. This is not surprising as priests and consecrated persons are God’s chosen instruments for the increase of His glory and man’s spiritual enrichment. But this was not achieved without the zealous cooperation of the laity who have devoted themselves untiringly to the service of the Lord in the 14 parishes being administered by the POLA religious today.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY & KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
Fraternally in Christ,
Illness and Death[1]
Dr. Douillard, his doctor, could clearly see that he was at the point of total collapse. He succeeded in convincing Fr. Eymard to leave Paris and to go to La Mure to rest. As a result, Father planned to spend a few days at home with his family and then proceed to Laus where he could quietly, far from all the usual pressures, renew his strength. He had even authorized Brother Tesnière to meet him at that renowned sanctuary. He was aware of his weakness and the imminence of his death. “Our Lord demands such sensitivity from me that the end must be near,” he had said in the spring of 1868.[2] During his visit to Angers at the end of June, he had asked Mme. d’Andign to come and see him. She later declared:
“He had me come, and told me that he would soon die. He heard my confession, telling me it would be the last time. He asked me to have fifty Masses said for him, as soon as I heard of his death.”[3]
On the morning of July 17, he left his community and boarded the train in the Orlans station. He planned to meet Mother Marguerite in Vichy, in order to discuss some questions under study. About 8 o’clock in the evening, he arrived in the city of mineral springs, where he was welcomed at the hotel by Mother Marguerite, accompanied by Sr. Anne Marie, and Mme. Gourd and her daughter. There were plans to create a community of Servants in Lyons, thanks to the financial assistance of these ladies. Father spent two and a half days in Vichy. He wrote about twenty letters.[4] On July 20, he greeted Mother Marguerite on her feast day, and had lunch with his hosts. In early afternoon, he made a final visit to the church of Saint Blaise, which faced the hotel, and proceeded to the train station. That evening he was in Lyons, where he spent the night in a hotel near Perrache.
[1] From the book “Pierre Julian Eymard” by Fr. Andre Guitton SSS. (1992), translated by Fr. Conrad Goulet SSS (1994)
[2] A. Tesniere, Eymard, p. 125.
[3] Testimony of Sr. Francoise de Chantal, (French) Ordinary process of Paris, Cop. pub., p. 200.
[4] Only three are now available.
[5] P. Archier, account taken from R. Ullens, Devant la mort, le bienheureux Pierre-Julien Eymard (Blessed Peter-Julian Eymard Faced with Death), Montreal, 1950, p.20.
[6] A. Tesniere, APSS, Rome, 0 1, pp. 337-374. The following quotations without references are taken from this account.
[7] To Marianne Eymard, July 19, 1868, Lettres, t.3, p. 148
[8] G. Troussier, t.2, p. 540. (Thompson, p. 250).
[9] Not presently available.
[10] no copies presently available.
The following morning, he left on the first train for Grenoble, arriving about 9 o’clock. He met one of his friends, Fr. Bard, pastor of Villard-Saint-Christophe, who was also taking the coach for La Mure in the afternoon. Together they made reservations, and Fr. Eymard even invited the desk clerk to share lunch with him. He was still fasting and had not yet offered Mass. It was nearly 11 o’clock when he presented himself in the adoration chapel, owned by the Missionaries of La Salette, on rue Saint-Vincent-de-Paul (today rue Voltaire), and asked if he could celebrate Mass. He was so tired that Fr. Archier, who knew him well, attempted to dissuade him. But Fr. Eymard insisted and the missionary remained to assist him. “I practically carried him in my arms when he left the altar. I gave him a bit of chartreuse,” Father recalled later.[1] Fr. Eymard had to forego his rendezvous in the restaurant. He was so weak that he could hardly stand. He had no appetite, and simply rested while waiting for the departure of the stagecoach. Fr. Archier tried to dissuade him from making the trip, and invited him to remain with him a few days, but in vain. Around one-thirty, Father got up. With effort he took a little food, and went to join Fr. Bard at Grenette place, from where all transportation left. With his companion, he took the front seat of the coach and, in the oppressive heat of mid-summer, he left Grenoble for La Mure. The trip was very rough. According to his companion, “Father became taciturn, answering only in monosyllables. At every relay, however, he got down, took a few breaths of fresh air and some refreshments, and had enough strength to re-board the carriage by himself.”[2] Fr. Bard got off and left him at Villard, carefully advising the coachman to watch over Father Julian. About 8 o’clock at night, the coach arrived at Pelloux in La Mure. No one was there to meet him.
“When I arrive in Grenoble,” he had written to his sisters from Vichy, “I’ll send a telegram to tell you of my arrival in La Mure.”[1] His sisters had received nothing. When notified, they came immediately; Annette Bernard was the first to arrive. Father embraced her, but said nothing, even forgetting his hat in the coach. Then came Marianne. Again, not a word. At a nearby house, with great pain he wrote a telegram addressed no doubt to the Paris community, but only the date and the signature are still readable. They led him to his room on the second floor and he went to bed. No one suspected how serious his condition really was, and he himself could not ask for anything. “We thought he was simply tired, as had so often been the case,” Annette later innocently confessed.[2] In reality, he had suffered a cerebral blood clot. The journey and the heat merely aggravated his condition: he was aphasic, with total loss of speech.
His Last Days and His Death
On the following morning, Wednesday, July 22, there was no improvement. Father could not get up. Dr. Germaine-Bonne, a faithful
friend, was renting the ground floor and first floor of the house. He came to see him and prescribed some medication. His mouth was deformed, and speech was not returning.
On Thursday the 23rd, his condition was stable. In the afternoon, the pastor of La Mure, Fr. Cat, came to see him and heard his confession, but he could not receive Communion.
On Friday the 24th, “there was a noticeable improvement and we wrote some letters,”[1] reported his sister. In Paris, they were waiting for news. They knew nothing of what happened since the time he had left the previous week. Brother Tesnière, among others, was impatient to join him so that he could go to Laus with him.
It was only on Sunday morning about 9 o’clock that the community was informed of his illness and how serious it was. Fr. Crepon sent Brother Tesnière to La Mure as quickly as possible to take care of him. He arrived Monday afternoon about 4 o’clock. Father was then in a state of frightening prostration.” He was unconscious. Tesnière dared not embrace him, nor even shake hands with him. A quarter of an hour later, however, Father regained consciousness and with joy recognized his young confrere, yet he could still barely speak. A slight improvement had actually occurred and he had partially recovered his ability to speak. Then visitors
started coming. He willingly acceded to these numerous signs of friendship. He also entertained some persons whom he knew to be suffering severely, such as Victorine Sauvet from La Mure; he had called for her, in order to comfort her and save her from despair. Father was lying in the alcove of the parlor on the second floor. His sisters and Brother Tesnière were having their meals in this same room. In spite of his splitting headaches, he joined as much as he could in these family gatherings. They took turns keeping watch at night.
On Monday night, it was Annette’s turn. Before sleeping, Tesnière sent a telegram to Paris. This led to the decision of Fr. Chanuet and Miss Thomas to leave for La Mure. Tuesday, the 28th, was a relatively good day. He received a few visitors. Brother Tesnière, in particular, was able to give him his mail, which was piling up on his table. Father scanned the return addresses, and asked Brother to answer two or three letters which he thought were more important. The night was calm. On the following day, Tesnière acted as secretary. He read the mail and Father indicated in a few words the answers to be given.[1] A telegram arrived from Fr. de Cuers, asking whether he should come. Father answered no. He gave the same answer to others.
Wednesday, the 29th at noon, was a time of respite. Feeling better, he wanted to get up and even sat at table with his sisters and Brother Albert. He blessed the food and ate a piece of fish and some grapes. Then he returned to bed. That night Fr. Chanuet and Miss Thomas arrived. She had been caring for the linens and clothing of the community in Paris, serving the Society with complete dedication. Now she assisted Marianne and Annette in caring for Father and putting a little order in his room. As for Fr. Chanuet, when passing through Grenoble, he had obtained the Bishop’s permission to celebrate Mass in the room of the sick person, but only twice a week.[1] It was a difficult night. Tesnière, who watched for the first part of the night, was struck by his gasping.
The following day, Thursday the 30th, the room was prepared, and Fr. Chanuet celebrated Eucharist. What a joy for him to share in the Mass and receive Communion! During thanksgiving, he even wanted to drink the wine that remained in the cruet. Touched by all this, Brother Tesnière wrote: “I approached Father and embraced him for the first time since my arrival. As for Father, he was surprised to see Fr. Chanuet; ‘It seems strange to me that you came,’ he told him. ‘What for?’ ‘But Father, don’t you deserve it?’ ‘Oh! bah!’ ‘You used to do it for others, yourself, Father!’ “He was satisfied with that reason,” added Tesnière. Around 9 o’clock, Brother Albert placed a silk band around Father’s body in honor of Notre Dame du Laus. “It’s for her that I suffer — or to her that I offer it,” Father answered him. Once Fr. Chanuet and Miss Thomas had arrived, Brother sensed that he was no longer needed. He asked permission to go to La Salette on pilgrimage, to pray for a cure. He left with Father’s blessing.
The night of July 30 was relatively quiet, but there was absolutely no hope for a cure. Miss Thomas decided to protect the patient both by stopping visitors from coming, and by having all meals taken elsewhere than in the room. Fr. Chanuet celebrated Mass in the room that morning. Twice, he asked Father if he wanted to receive Extreme Unction. Each time he answered simply: “No, not now.”
The evening of the 31st, it was Miss Thomas’ turn to watch. Later, she would testify that, around midnight, she saw Father “staring attentively at the wall near the foot of the bed. He smiled, and his eyes lit up. He seemed to be very, very happy.” There was a luminous cloud and what resembled the folds of a garment of someone whose face she could not see. She was convinced that the Virgin Mary had appeared to him to notify him of his death. Quickly his appearance changed, his breathing became difficult. She went to get Fr. Chanuet, who suggested that he receive Extreme Unction. Father willingly agreed and participated in the celebration with full consciousness.
It was about 2 a.m. At about 7 o’clock in the morning, Fr. Chanuet offered to get Holy Communion for him.
[11] Tesniere speaks of only one celebration of Eucharist in the patient’s room. From this, he concluded that the Bishop of Grenoble had authorized only one celebration per week. But he himself was absent on July 31, and other well-informed sources speak of two Masses: Mme. Giraud-Jordan speaks of Masses “on Thursday and Friday”, (French) Inquiry Process of Lyons, Summarium, p. 1258, and Mother Marie Clmence, ‘on the 30th… and the 31st”, (French) Inquiry process of Angers, ibid., p. 1272-1273. This opinion explains better the “dissatisfaction” of Father on Saturday, August 1, when Fr. Chanuet did not deem himself authorized to celebrate the Eucharist in his room.
“Father expressed dissatisfaction; he wanted the Mass,” reports Tesnière. “Fr. Chanuet was afraid to act against his conscience and Father submitted himself to this new sacrifice.” There was nothing more touching than this final wish of Father to share in the celebration of the Eucharist. He who had so generously celebrated Mass for his sick sister every day, in that very house in September 1865, saw himself denied his last Passover. “He received Viaticum.” About 10 o’clock, aware of his condition, he began to say good-bye. He embraced his sister and said to her: “And so, dear sister, adieu; it’s the end!”
Towards noontime, he lost consciousness for a while, and people realized this was the final hour. Fr. Chanuet recited the prayers for the dying, and Miss Thomas, the litany of the Sacred Heart. Those present came to kneel at the foot of his bed to receive a final blessing. When he awoke, he seemed to be looking for someone, probably Brother Tesniere who had not yet returned from his pilgrimage. Fr. Chanuet asked if he had something to say. “No”, was his simple reply. They were expecting a kind of testament from him. He was giving his entire Work to God.
Around two o’clock, when Fr. Chanuet was leaving the room to send a telegram, he [Eymard] wanted to expectorate. Miss Thomas lifted him slightly on his pillow. His breathing stopped. He fell back, lifeless, blessing with his hand, and holding a statuette of Our Lady of La Salette on his heart, with his eyes fixed on the large picture of the crucified Christ which was at the end of the room. Notified, Fr. Chanuet had just enough time to give him a final absolution and the blessing at the point of death.
It was almost 2:30 in the afternoon. Father Peter Julian Eymard gave his life to God in this small family house in La Mure, surrounded by his sisters, and only one confrere, Fr. Chanuet. It was Saturday, August 1, 1868, a day traditionally consecrated to the Virgin Mary, at the hour for the first Vespers of Sunday. He was fifty-seven and a half years old
Burial in La Mure
When the first moment of grief had subsided, those present considered exposing his body. It had to be washed and dressed; a black stole was placed on his cassock. Miss Thomas and Mme. Gras took care of this. While cleaning his body, they were able to notice traces of bloody macerations which he had inflicted upon himself. They placed his body on the bed in the alcove, in the room on the second floor where he had just given his life over to God.
Fr. Chanuet quickly informed the communities by telegram. In Paris, the Fathers received the news in the afternoon; in Angers, that evening. In Saint-Maurice, they learned of his death only the following noon. Mother Marguerite, undergoing therapy in Vichy, learned about it only three days later. But in La Mure, news spread rapidly, and everyone was in dismay.
“The Saint is dead,” they were saying. Everyone loved Fr. Eymard; he had remained simple and close to everyone. Among the people, he was Father Julian. And whenever he returned home to visit, “They called him in the dialect: ‘A siou lou paourou de Diou,’ which means: ‘I am the poor one of God,’ an expression frequently used by the Servant of God speaking of himself,” according to a witness.[1]
That evening, some close and intimate friends silently reflected near his remains and prayed with his family. He was resting in peace. “If only you could have seen how beautiful he was!” wrote Fr. Chanuet to Fr. Mayet shortly after. “There was never such serenity and gentleness on his face.”[2] Dr. Douillard, from Paris, arrived on the night coach, hoping to offer his services. But he was too late.
Around 9 o’clock, Brother Tesnière returned from La Salette. He had hoped to obtain a miracle, but finally resigned himself to accept God’s Will. It was at Ponthaut, shortly before arriving in La Mure, that he received news of the death. Great was his sorrow, but he was able to describe the remarkable beauty of Eymard’s face: “Father’s eyes were open and as animated as on the most solemn feast of our Lord.” Then, towards midnight, his face lost that astonishing impression of life which struck those present. He maintained, however, a serene look: “It was calm and peace that characterized his features, a peace from on high which nothing troubles.”
On the following morning, someone tried to take a picture of his face, but the results were very poor. Besides, some close friends had already clipped some locks of his hair.
On Sunday morning, Tesnière barely had time to go to Mass. Spontaneously people flocked from everywhere to pay a final visit to the priest, the countryman whom they venerated. Very early, there was already an unceasing flow of people of all ages and of all conditions. They were struck by the beauty of his face and its expression of serenity. Secretly they were taking souvenirs. Brother Tesnière, standing next to the bed, applied rosaries and medals, and even house keys to the body. It was an endless coming and going through the small corridor and narrow staircase. A group had to be organized to keep order. At certain hours, the waiting line stretched to more than one hundred meters. With its low ceiling, the room was very hot and some feared an accident.
Around 3 o’clock, Fr. Leroyer, Superior of the community of Marseilles, arrived. He was able to see Father’s uncovered face. On the advice of the doctor, it was decided that the burial take place that very night. They brought the body down from the second floor to the ground floor, which Dr. Germain-Bonne offered to the family. He was clothed with violet-colored priestly vestments, offered by the parish. They then placed him in a coffin, but left his face uncovered.
[12] Testimony of Fr. Maurice Eymery, Procès ordinaire de Grenoble, fol. 143. During the funeral, this witness was one of the pall bearers “from the church of La Mure to the cemetery. While offering him this final duty, I was asking God that I might walk in his footsteps on the way to holiness,” he remarked.
[13] Letter of Fr. Chanuet to Fr. Mayet, August 19, 1868, quoted by R. Ullens, Devant la mort, p. 47.
People continued to come and Tesnière estimated the crowd at ten thousand. Evidently, he exaggerated, since La Mure numbered at that time only about 3,500 inhabitants.[1] At least, this estimate reveals the exceptional crowd that spontaneously manifested their esteem and veneration. At 5 o’clock, the clergy proceeded to transfer the body from the house. About twenty priests from the nearby parishes were there to assist. They felt honored to carry the coffin on their shoulders. Tesnière, ever conscious of the Society and its prerogatives, arranged for Fr. Leroyer to be among them. A large crowd accompanied the cortege on its way to the parish church, which was too small for the occasion.
On this Sunday afternoon, they celebrated Vespers for the dead. Fr. Cat, the archpriest of La Mure, gave the final blessing. Then the cortege proceeded to the nearby cemetery. The face of Father was still uncovered. A grave had been dug at the side of the church. The coffin, which was made of oak and doubly enclosed in a tin casing, was finally closed, and the burial proceeded. Slowly, the crowd dispersed; at about 6 o’clock, everything was finished.
The following morning at 9 o’clock, in the presence of a large crowd in the parish church, a Mass was celebrated for the repose of his soul. “Before the final prayers, the Superior of Marseilles (Fr. Leroyer) related the edifying life of our venerable Father. The congregation was in tears; even the speaker had to control himself,” according to the testimony of Mother Marie-Clmence.[2] The events had passed so quickly that some people arrived only after the ceremony; such as, Fr. Champion, Superior of Brussels and Assistant General, and Mr. Amde Chanuet, with Sr. Philomene and Sr. Benote. The excessive heat of the season, no doubt, had influenced the decision to proceed quickly with the burial. The people of La Mure also feared that the religious might take the body to bury it elsewhere. In fact, on Sunday morning, Fr. Stafford had sent a telegram from Paris to proceed with the request to transfer the body for burial at Saint-Maurice.[3] The telegram was intercepted in La Mure, and arrangements were made for the burial to take place without delay. Besides, it was very difficult to insist on rights while Marianne Eymard was still alive.
For the thirtieth-day service in La Mure, Fr. Stafford was present. He had a small monument erected over the grave: a prie-dieu carved in white stone with a monstrance above it and a stole and open book bearing these words:
LET US LOVE JESUS WHO SO LOVES US IN HIS DIVINE SACRAMENT.
[14] Census of 1866: 3,565 inhabitants. Cf. V. Miard, La Mure et la Matheysine travers l’histoire, 1965, p. 245, note (4).
[15] Testimony of Mre Marie-Clmence, second Superior General of the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament. Inquiry process of Angers, Summarium, p. 1280.
[16] Testimony of Fr. Stafford in the Apostolic process of Paris: “The following morning (Sunday), I telegraphed these words to Fr. Chanuet: ‘Take care of all the formalities needed to have the body brought to Saint-Maurice; Father loved this house so much.’ Summarium. p. 1244.
This epitaph, in its simplicity, seems to summarize the essential message of the apostle of the Eucharist.
Last Will and Testament of Fr. Peter Julian Eymard
“In the name of the Most Blessed Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, I, the undersigned, Peter Julian Eymard, born at La Mure d’Isere, declare that I make my will freely and willingly as follows: “1. I give and will the usufruct [profit] of all movable and immovable property of mine which will be in La Mure on the day of my death, to my beloved sister Marianne Eymard, and after her death in gratitude to Miss Anne Bernard if she is still living with my sister until death. “2. As responsible for the above and any other rightful claims, I name and establish as my universal heirs in equal partnership, M. Raymond de Cuers, priest, who lives with me in Paris in rue d’Enfer 114, and M. Champion, Cyrus, Amant, from Charios (Drome), priest. “By this present document, I break and annul any other previous will. I recommend my soul to the infinite mercy of God and the charity of my sisters and friends. Paris, June 22, 1856.
The notarized copy of this will can be found in the archives of the Founder in Rome, together with a little sheet without any signature, dated Oct. 21 1868, entitled The Will of M. Julien Eymard, Blessed Sacrament Father, with the following detail:
Notary: The Will of M. Julien Eymard, Blessed Sacrament Father. House and garden at La Mure, rue du Breuil Income 300 fr. Price of Land at Genevray – 65 acres Income 60 fr. Total 360 fr. 1/2 180 fr. Capital 3600 fr.
On Aug. 6, 1868, the Will was opened in Paris by Mr. Meignen and his colleagues (notaries) on rue St. Honore, when Frs. Augustin Crepon and Frederic Stafford presented the death certificate released by the town of La Mure. The original document was kept by the notary.
Condolences from Pope Pius IX
“His Excellency Bishop Chigi, Apostolic Nuncio to Paris who showed such keen interest in the new-born Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, encouraged the Religious of this Society to inform the Holy Father directly about the death of Fr. Eymard. His Holiness issued the following document which he signed personally and stamped with the pontifical seal, a clear witness to the affection with which he honored Fr. Eymard and of his tender concern for the
religious group founded by this Venerable and holy priest. Here is the text:
‘To my Beloved Son, Father Cyr Champion, designated vicar of the Congregation of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Paris, France. Pope Pius IX Beloved Son, Greetings and Apostolic Blessing.
From your very sad letter, written on the 16th of this month, we learned the sorrowful news of the death of the beloved founder of the Congregation of the Most Blessed Sacrament, our beloved Son Peter Eymard, who passed from this life on the first day of this month. We have not ceased to humbly commit the soul of the deceased to the care of a most merciful and generous Father, so that if, by chance any traces of weak human nature needed to be expiated, his soul would be admitted to the joys of the blessed in heaven. Because you are the designated Vicar of his Congregation at this time, Beloved Son, never cease caring for the good of his Congregation with all your zeal. As a sign of Our paternal affection, We lovingly ask the head of all the heavenly powers to impart our Apostolic Blessing with the love of our heart, to You yourself, Beloved Son, and upon all the members of your Congregation. Given at Rome near Saint Peter on August 20, 1868. In the Twenty-third Year of Our Pontificate. Pope Pius IX’”
[Excerpt from the newspaper “Le Bien Public” Ghent, Belgium, August 20, 1868]
Adveniat Regnum Tuum Eucharisticum!
Provided by Fr. Rey Capili, sss