Congregation of Jesus and Mary facts for kids
|
Congregatio Iesu et Mariae
|
|
 |
|
| Abbreviation | CIM, CJM |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Eudists |
| Formation | 25 March 1643 |
| Founder | Saint John Eudes, C.I.M. |
| Founded at | Caen, Normandy, France |
| Type | Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right for men |
| Headquarters | Via dei Querceti 15, Rome, Italy |
|
Membership (2020)
|
492 members (includes 361 priests) (2020) |
|
Superior General
|
Fr. Jean-Michel Amouriaux, C.I.M. |
The Congregation of Jesus and Mary, also known as the Eudists, is a group of Catholic men who dedicate their lives to serving God and others. They are often called CIM or CJM for short. This group was started on March 25, 1643, by a saint named John Eudes.
Contents
History of the Eudists
The Eudists began in a city called Caen in Normandy, France. Their founder, Jean Eudes, was a priest from another group called the Oratorians. The main goals of the Eudists were to train new priests in special schools called seminaries and to lead spiritual missions in local churches.
Father Eudes wanted to help the members of his group grow closer to Jesus. So, he started a special yearly celebration in their seminaries. This celebration honored the holy priesthood of Jesus Christ and all priests. It was the second most important celebration for the Eudists, after the feasts of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This special celebration began on November 13. It helped prepare them to renew their promises as priests on November 21.
Early Seminaries and Growth
During Father Eudes' lifetime, the Eudists opened several seminaries in France. These included schools in Caen (1643), Coutances (1650), Lisieux (1653), Rouen (1658), Évreux (1667), and Rennes (1670). These were all "major" seminaries, meaning they were for training priests.
Besides students studying to become priests, Father Eudes also welcomed other people. These included priests who wanted to study more, people who wanted to go on spiritual retreats, and even regular students who took theology classes.
After Father Eudes passed away, the Eudists continued to grow. They took charge of seminaries in other cities like Valognes, Avranches, and Blois. They also ran "little" seminaries in places like Rennes and Rouen. These smaller schools helped students from poorer families who wanted to become priests and serve in country areas.
Challenges and New Beginnings
The French Revolution was a difficult time for Catholic groups in France. Many religious organizations were shut down, and their properties were taken away. Three Eudist priests, Fathers Hébert, Claude Pottier, and Jacques-François Lefranc, were killed in Paris in 1792. They are now honored as "Blessed" by the Catholic Church.
After the revolution, the Eudists could not easily get their old seminaries back. So, they started new kinds of work. They began doing missionary work and teaching in high schools. Later, a law in 1906 in France caused problems for their schools there.
Eudists Around the World
In the early 1900s, the Eudists opened schools in Belgium and Spain. They also directed seminaries in places like Cartagena, Spain, Antioquia in South America, and Panama. They also had a presence in San Domingo in the West Indies.
In Canada, the Eudists were very active. They had a seminary in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a college in Church Point, Nova Scotia. They also had other important places in Canada. Today, their main office in North America is in Quebec.
Eudists in the United States and Asia
In 1947, the Eudists bought a large house in Langley Park, Maryland, in the United States. They ran a seminary there until 1963. Today, in the San Diego area of California, Eudists help lead churches in Carlsbad, Vista, and Solana Beach, California.
In 2005, the Eudists opened their first community in Asia, in Tagaytay, Philippines. They later moved to Quezon City, near Ateneo de Manila University, where they have a training house for new members. They also have a retreat house in Taytay, Rizal, where Eudists help with church activities and spiritual retreats.
How the Eudists are Organized
Father Eudes decided that his group would not take religious vows, unlike some other religious orders. However, the Eudists still follow strict rules, similar to those of religious orders. Their way of organizing is based on the Oratorians, a group Father Eudes had belonged to for 20 years.
The highest power in the Eudist group is held by a general assembly. This assembly chooses the superior general, who leads the group for five years. The superior general can choose and remove local leaders, decide where members will work, and approve important actions. He is helped by assistants chosen by the general assembly.
The main office for the Eudists worldwide is in Rome, Italy. In 2020, the superior general was Father Jean-Michel Amouriaux. As of 2023, there are about 500 Eudists serving in seventeen different countries around the world.
What Eudists Do
The Eudists are an international group of priests, deacons, and laypeople (people who are not priests). They share their prayer life and work together to help others. They are involved in many different activities, including:
- Running seminaries (schools for priests)
- Helping to train and educate people who are not priests
- Working as chaplains in schools or hospitals
- Teaching in Catholic schools
- Leading local churches (parishes)
- Running spiritual centers for retreats and prayer
For example, in France, the Eudists run the Foyer Saint Jean Eudes. This is a guesthouse in Paris for university students or people attending meetings organized by Catholic groups.
Important Eudist People
Here are some important people from the Eudist community:
Saints
- Jean Eudes (1601–1680): He was the founder of the Eudist Congregation. He became a saint on May 31, 1925.
Blesseds
- François-Louis Hébert (1735–1792): He was killed during the French Revolution and became "Blessed" on October 17, 1926.
- François Lefranc (1739–1792): He was also killed during the French Revolution and became "Blessed" on October 17, 1926.
- Pierre-Claude Pottier (1743–1792): He was killed during the French Revolution and became "Blessed" on October 17, 1926.
- Charles-Antoine-Nicolas Ancel (1763–1794): He was killed during the French Revolution and became "Blessed" on October 1, 1995.
Servants of God
- Rafael García Herreros Unda (1909–1992): A priest who was declared a "Servant of God" on August 15, 2013.
- Miguel Antonio Salas Salas (1915–2003): An Archbishop who was declared a "Servant of God" in 2013.
See also
- Institutes of consecrated life
- Religious institute (Catholic)
- Vocational Discernment in the Catholic Church
