Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
Encyclopedia
The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (S.S.S.) is a Catholic religious congregation of priest
s, deacon
s, and Brother
s whose ideal of life is to become living witnesses of the Eucharist
, the source and summit of Christian life. By their life and activities, they assist the Church in her efforts to form Christian communities whose center of life is the Eucharist. They commit themselves to the implementation of this ideal in collaboration with lay
men and women engaged in various ministries.
is Societas Sanctissimi Sacramenti, was founded in Paris, France
, on May 13, 1856 by a French priest, Saint Peter Julian Eymard
. As he searched for response to the needs and challenges of his time, he found the answer in the love of God manifested in a special way in his Eucharist. Captivated by this love, he traced out for his companions and contemporaries a new form of life in the Church.
. Currently numbering a little less than a thousand religious, they are present in thirty different countries throughout the world.
, each member of the Congregation wants the Mystery of the Eucharist to be loved and lived in its fullness. Believing that Christ in the Eucharist has the power to effect a radical transformation in our society and in all people. The power of the Eucharist motivates and strengthens everyone to work for the establishment of Christ's Kingdom on earth.
Each religious proclaims the reality of God's love in the Eucharist by their "gift of self" to Him and their brothers and sisters. By prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament
and an active apostolic life, they strive to make Christ in the Eucharist better known and loved.
(1811–1868) was a French priest
, the founder of two religious order
s, and a canonized saint.
Eymard was born 4 February 1811 at La Mure, Isère, France. His first attempt as a seminarian ended when he left the seminary
due to poor health. Nevertheless, on 20 July 1834, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Grenoble
. In 1839, he joined the Marist Fathers
, where he worked as a well-respected spiritual advisor with seminarians and priests. He worked with the Third Order of Mary and other lay organizations promoting devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the Eucharist, particularly in the Forty Hours. He rose to the position of Provincial of the Society at Lyon in 1845. In 1856, due to disagreements with the Marists, Eymard left and founded the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament for men, and, in 1858, together with Marguerite Guillot founded the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament
, a contemplative congregation for women.
The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament began working with children in Paris to prepare them to receive their First Communion
. It also reached out to non-practicing Catholics, inviting them to repent and begin receiving Communion again. Eymard was a tireless proponent of frequent Holy Communion
, an idea given more authoritative backing by Pope Pius X
in 1905.
Eymard overcame a number of difficulties to reach his goals, including poverty in his family and in his newly founded community, his father's initial opposition to his only son's desire to be a priest, years of serious illness and pain, a Jansenistic striving for inner perfection and the difficulties of getting diocesan and later papal approval for his new religious community. Eymard was a contemporary and a friend of other saints including Peter Chanel
, John Vianney
and Marcellin Champagnat
.
The French sculptor Auguste Rodin
received counsel from Eymard when Rodin entered the Congregation in 1862, having given up art after the death of his sister. Eymard recognized Rodin's talent and advised him to return to his vocation. Later in life, Rodin produced a bust of Eymard.
Eymard died on 1 August 1868. He was declared venerable in 1908, beatified in 1925, and canonized by Pope John XXIII
on 9 December 1962. His feast day
is celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church
on 2 August. He was named Apostle of the Eucharist.
Following in the footsteps of Father Eymard, our mission is to respond to the hungers of the human family with the riches of God's love manifested in the Eucharist.
Drawing life from the bread given for the life of the world, we proclaim in the thanksgiving prayer the Passover of Christ, and we welcome the Eucharistic presence by a prolonged prayer of adoration and contemplation.
Formed by the Sacrament of the New Covenant
which frees us from the domination of sin, we commit ourselves to building up the Body of Christ
.
By our life and activities, we share in the mission of the Church, so that the Eucharist may be celebrated in truth, that the faithful may grow in their communion with the Lord through Eucharistic adoration
in the setting of solemn exposition, that they may commit themselves to the renewal of their Christian communities, and collaborate in liberating individuals and society from the forces of evil.
United in Spirit with those who are poor and weak, we oppose everything which degrades human dignity and we proclaim a more just and brotherly world as we await the coming of the Lord
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
s, deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
s, and Brother
Brother (Catholic)
A religious brother is a member of a Roman Catholic religious order who commits himself to following Christ in consecrated life of the church by the vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience. A layman , he usually lives in a religious community and works in a ministry that suits his talents and gifts...
s whose ideal of life is to become living witnesses of the Eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
, the source and summit of Christian life. By their life and activities, they assist the Church in her efforts to form Christian communities whose center of life is the Eucharist. They commit themselves to the implementation of this ideal in collaboration with lay
Laity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
men and women engaged in various ministries.
History
The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, whose name in LatinLatin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
is Societas Sanctissimi Sacramenti, was founded in Paris, France
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, on May 13, 1856 by a French priest, Saint Peter Julian Eymard
Peter Julian Eymard
Saint Peter Julian Eymard was a French Catholic priest, founder of two religious orders, and a canonized saint....
. As he searched for response to the needs and challenges of his time, he found the answer in the love of God manifested in a special way in his Eucharist. Captivated by this love, he traced out for his companions and contemporaries a new form of life in the Church.
The Congregation Today
Since its founding, the members of the congregation have reached all continents of the globe and continue the mission begun by St. Peter Julian EymardPeter Julian Eymard
Saint Peter Julian Eymard was a French Catholic priest, founder of two religious orders, and a canonized saint....
. Currently numbering a little less than a thousand religious, they are present in thirty different countries throughout the world.
Eucharistic Charism
Like St. Peter Julian EymardPeter Julian Eymard
Saint Peter Julian Eymard was a French Catholic priest, founder of two religious orders, and a canonized saint....
, each member of the Congregation wants the Mystery of the Eucharist to be loved and lived in its fullness. Believing that Christ in the Eucharist has the power to effect a radical transformation in our society and in all people. The power of the Eucharist motivates and strengthens everyone to work for the establishment of Christ's Kingdom on earth.
Each religious proclaims the reality of God's love in the Eucharist by their "gift of self" to Him and their brothers and sisters. By prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament
Blessed Sacrament
The Blessed Sacrament, or the Body and Blood of Christ, is a devotional name used in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Churches, Old Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches, to refer to the Host after it has been consecrated in the sacrament of the Eucharist...
and an active apostolic life, they strive to make Christ in the Eucharist better known and loved.
Founder – St. Peter Julian Eymard
Peter Julian EymardPeter Julian Eymard
Saint Peter Julian Eymard was a French Catholic priest, founder of two religious orders, and a canonized saint....
(1811–1868) was a French priest
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
, the founder of two religious order
Religious order
A religious order is a lineage of communities and organizations of people who live in some way set apart from society in accordance with their specific religious devotion, usually characterized by the principles of its founder's religious practice. The order is composed of initiates and, in some...
s, and a canonized saint.
Eymard was born 4 February 1811 at La Mure, Isère, France. His first attempt as a seminarian ended when he left the seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
due to poor health. Nevertheless, on 20 July 1834, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Grenoble
Grenoble
Grenoble is a city in southeastern France, at the foot of the French Alps where the river Drac joins the Isère. Located in the Rhône-Alpes region, Grenoble is the capital of the department of Isère...
. In 1839, he joined the Marist Fathers
Society of Mary (Marists)
The Society of Mary , is a Roman Catholic religious congregation or order, founded by Father Jean-Claude Colin and a group of other seminarians in France in 1816...
, where he worked as a well-respected spiritual advisor with seminarians and priests. He worked with the Third Order of Mary and other lay organizations promoting devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to the Eucharist, particularly in the Forty Hours. He rose to the position of Provincial of the Society at Lyon in 1845. In 1856, due to disagreements with the Marists, Eymard left and founded the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament for men, and, in 1858, together with Marguerite Guillot founded the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament
Servants of the Blessed Sacrament
The Servants of the Blessed Sacrament is a Roman Catholic contemplative, but not cloistered, congregation of sisters with a focus on Eucharistic adoration....
, a contemplative congregation for women.
The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament began working with children in Paris to prepare them to receive their First Communion
First Communion
The First Communion, or First Holy Communion, is a Catholic Church ceremony. It is the colloquial name for a person's first reception of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Catholics believe this event to be very important, as the Eucharist is one of the central focuses of the Catholic Church...
. It also reached out to non-practicing Catholics, inviting them to repent and begin receiving Communion again. Eymard was a tireless proponent of frequent Holy Communion
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
, an idea given more authoritative backing by Pope Pius X
Pope Pius X
Pope Saint Pius X , born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, was the 257th Pope of the Catholic Church, serving from 1903 to 1914. He was the first pope since Pope Pius V to be canonized. Pius X rejected modernist interpretations of Catholic doctrine, promoting traditional devotional practices and orthodox...
in 1905.
Eymard overcame a number of difficulties to reach his goals, including poverty in his family and in his newly founded community, his father's initial opposition to his only son's desire to be a priest, years of serious illness and pain, a Jansenistic striving for inner perfection and the difficulties of getting diocesan and later papal approval for his new religious community. Eymard was a contemporary and a friend of other saints including Peter Chanel
Peter Chanel
Pierre Louis Marie Chanel, known in English as Saint Peter Chanel was a Catholic priest, missionary, and martyr.-Early years:Chanel was born in La Potière near Cuet in the area of Belley, Ain département, France....
, John Vianney
Jean Vianney
Jean-Baptiste-Marie Vianney , commonly known in English as St John Vianney, was a French parish priest who in the Catholic Church is venerated as a saint and as the patron saint of all priests. He is often referred to as the "Curé d'Ars"...
and Marcellin Champagnat
Marcellin Champagnat
Saint Marcellin Joseph Benedict Champagnat was born in Rozet, village of Marlhes, near St. Etienne , France...
.
The French sculptor Auguste Rodin
Auguste Rodin
François-Auguste-René Rodin , known as Auguste Rodin , was a French sculptor. Although Rodin is generally considered the progenitor of modern sculpture, he did not set out to rebel against the past...
received counsel from Eymard when Rodin entered the Congregation in 1862, having given up art after the death of his sister. Eymard recognized Rodin's talent and advised him to return to his vocation. Later in life, Rodin produced a bust of Eymard.
Eymard died on 1 August 1868. He was declared venerable in 1908, beatified in 1925, and canonized by Pope John XXIII
Pope John XXIII
-Papal election:Following the death of Pope Pius XII in 1958, Roncalli was elected Pope, to his great surprise. He had even arrived in the Vatican with a return train ticket to Venice. Many had considered Giovanni Battista Montini, Archbishop of Milan, a possible candidate, but, although archbishop...
on 9 December 1962. His feast day
Calendar of saints
The calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organizing a liturgical year by associating each day with one or more saints and referring to the feast day of said saint...
is celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
on 2 August. He was named Apostle of the Eucharist.
Mission
Rule 3, Rule of Life of the SSSFollowing in the footsteps of Father Eymard, our mission is to respond to the hungers of the human family with the riches of God's love manifested in the Eucharist.
Drawing life from the bread given for the life of the world, we proclaim in the thanksgiving prayer the Passover of Christ, and we welcome the Eucharistic presence by a prolonged prayer of adoration and contemplation.
Formed by the Sacrament of the New Covenant
New Covenant
The New Covenant is a concept originally derived from the Hebrew Bible. The term "New Covenant" is used in the Bible to refer to an epochal relationship of restoration and peace following a period of trial and judgment...
which frees us from the domination of sin, we commit ourselves to building up the Body of Christ
Body of Christ
In Christian theology, the term Body of Christ has two separate connotations: it may refer to Jesus's statement about the Eucharist at the Last Supper that "This is my body" in , or the explicit usage of the term by the Apostle Paul in to refer to the Christian Church.Although in general usage the...
.
By our life and activities, we share in the mission of the Church, so that the Eucharist may be celebrated in truth, that the faithful may grow in their communion with the Lord through Eucharistic adoration
Eucharistic adoration
Eucharistic adoration is a practice in the Roman Catholic Church, and in a few Anglican and Lutheran churches, in which the Blessed Sacrament is exposed to and adored by the faithful....
in the setting of solemn exposition, that they may commit themselves to the renewal of their Christian communities, and collaborate in liberating individuals and society from the forces of evil.
United in Spirit with those who are poor and weak, we oppose everything which degrades human dignity and we proclaim a more just and brotherly world as we await the coming of the Lord