Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Congregation of The Blessed Sacrament

Coat of Arms of the Sacramentinos
Abbreviation	Post-nominal letters: S.S.S.
Formation	13 May 1856; 169 years ago (13 May 1856)
Founder	Saint Fr. Pierre-Julien Eymard, S.S.S.
Founded at	Paris, France
Type	Clerical Religious Congregation of Pontifical Right (for Men)
Purpose	To live the mystery of the Eucharist fully and to make known its meaning, so that Christ's reign may come to the glory of God and be revealed to the world.
Headquarters	Mother house Via G. B. De Rossi 46, 00161 Rome, Italy
Members	883 members (includes 591 priests) as of 2020
Motto	Latin: Adveniat Regnum Tuum Eucharisticum English: Thy Eucharistic Kingdom Come
Superior General	Very Rev. Fr. Eugênio Barbosa Martins, S.S.S.
Ministry	Eucharistic apostolate
Nickname	Sacramentino
Main organ	Emmanuel (English)
Parent organization	Catholic Church

The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (Latin: Congregatio Sanctissimi Sacramenti) is often called the Sacramentinos. It is a group of Catholic men (priests, deacons, and brothers) founded by Saint Pierre-Julien Eymard. Members add "S.S.S." after their names. This stands for the group's official Latin name. Through their lives and work, they help the Church. They aim to create Christian communities where the Eucharist is the main focus. They work with lay men and women who are involved in different ministries.

History of the Sacramentinos

The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament started in Paris France on May 13, 1856. It was founded by a French priest, Saint Peter Julian Eymard. He was looking for ways to help people in his time. He found the answer in God's love, especially shown in the Eucharist. During Eymard's life, Catholicism in France was changing. It began to focus more on God's kindness and love. Eymard was a key person in this change.

About the Founder – Saint Peter Julian Eymard

Saint Peter Julian Eymard

Eymard was born on February 4, 1811, in La Mure, France. He was a friend of other important figures like Peter Chanel and John Vianney. On July 20, 1834, Eymard became a priest for the Diocese of Grenoble. In 1839, he joined the Marist Fathers. He worked with lay groups to promote devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Eucharist. This included the Forty Hours Devotion.

Insignia of the Sacramentinos

Eymard learned about long periods of prayer before the Eucharist during a visit to Paris in 1849. He met people who prayed before the Blessed Sacrament day and night. With permission from the Paris bishops, Eymard left the Marist order on May 13, 1856. He then founded the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament for men. Their first community was in Paris. In 1858, he also helped start the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament. This was a group of women focused on prayer.

Eymard died on August 1, 1868. He was recognized as a saint by Pope John XXIII on December 9, 1962. Saint Peter Julian Eymard is remembered for showing how important the Eucharist is to Christian life. He taught that it shows God's great love for people. Because the Holy Eucharist was so central to his life, he is known as a great champion of the Eucharist.

The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament first worked with children in Paris. They helped prepare them for their First Communion. They also reached out to Catholics who had stopped practicing their faith. They invited them to return and receive Communion again. In 1859, Eymard opened a second community in Marseilles. Other communities were started in Antwerp and Brussels. A training house for new members was also opened.

Special Focus on the Eucharist

Members of the Congregation believe that Christ in the Eucharist can make big changes in society and in people. They believe it gives strength to work for God's Kingdom on Earth. Each member shows God's love in the Eucharist by dedicating himself to God and to others. Through prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and active work, they try to make Christ in the Eucharist better known and loved.

Eymard strongly encouraged people to receive Holy Communion often. This idea later received more support from Pope Pius X in 1905.

Their Mission

Following Saint Eymard's example, the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament aims to "meet the needs of people with God's love, shown in the Eucharist."

Members of the Congregation feel called to show the importance of the Eucharist. They work to help the Church and society become better through this sacrament. They do this by creating welcoming communities that forgive and help others. They also celebrate the Eucharist as the most important part of Church life.

Through their lives and activities, they share in the Church's mission. They want the Eucharist to be celebrated truly. They want people to grow closer to God through Eucharistic adoration. They also commit to helping their Christian communities improve. They work to free individuals and society from bad influences.

They stand with those who are poor and weak. They oppose anything that harms human respect. They also announce a more fair and friendly world as they await the coming of the Lord.

The Congregation Today

Since it was founded, the Congregation has spread to all parts of the world. They continue the mission started by Saint Peter Julian Eymard. Today, there are a little less than a thousand members. They are present in thirty different countries around the world.

Notable Members