SAINT PETER JULIAN EYMARD
The Apostle of the Eucharist
St Peter Julian Eymard was born in La Mure, France on the 4th February 1811.
He was baptised the next day. His sister, 12 year-old Marie-Anne, was his godmother.
Peter became an altar boy and it was his job to go through the streets fifteen minutes before Mass ringing a bell to call the people to go to church
He soon decided that he wanted to become a priest and on 20th July 1834
Peter's dream came true and he was ordained.
Peter wanted to encourage people to receive the Eucharist and to develop a deeper love for Jesus. At the time, Eucharist was reserved only for those considered worthy. Peter believed it was important to bring Eucharist to as many people as possible. He asked the Pope to allow him and his priests to begin the work of bringing the Eucharist to the wider community.
The Pope consented and Peter gathered a group of priests together and formed the Blessed Sacrament Fathers in l856.
On the 8th of September 1962, Pope John XXIII declared that Peter Julian was a saint of the Catholic Church. He was canonised on 9th Dec 1962.
Our Parish was named after Saint Peter Julian Eymard just a few years later in 1968.
The mother of a man living in the district of Mooroolbark had been cured after a serious long-term condition had become life threatening. It was accepted as a second miracle cure attributed to Peter Julian Eymard as people here and in her home parish had been praying to him for a miracle.
This second miracle led to him becoming a saint.
The Feast Day of Saint Peter Julian Eymard is 2nd August