Spirituality · Formation · Encounter

Eudist Study Days

Two editions, a shared journey of reflection.

Explore the 2023 and 2024 Eudist Study Days, organized by the Eudist Spirituality Unit: conferences, conversations, and documents.

March to November 2024

2024 · Mercy, encounter, and holiness

Three pairs of videos invite viewers to explore the spirituality of Saint John Eudes and its relevance to Eudist life today.

Let the words of Saint John Eudes, recalled by the 2022 General Assembly, resonate with us: “We are missionaries of mercy.” This is both a theme and a reality we want to explore more deeply. We will listen to two witnesses:

— Sister Nidia Stella Quimbayo Garrido, provincial leader for Colombia and Venezuela in the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, speaks on the challenges of living mercy in today’s society.

— Father Diego Jaramillo, Eudist of the Minuto de Dios Province and president of Minuto de Dios, reflects on Father Rafael García-Herreros’s response of mercy to the challenges of his time.

The General Assembly also invited us to reflect on interculturality and to build a culture of encounter, among ourselves and with everyone we meet. A working group led by Father Edem Afoutou, Eudist of the Province of Africa, General Councillor and vicar for the Philippines, organized two workshop-style discussions.

2025 was a jubilee year for the whole Church, “Pilgrims of Hope,” and for the Eudist family, marking the centenary of Saint John Eudes’s canonization. In preparation, two conferences were planned. Father Daniel Doré, Eudist of the Province of France and archivist of the Congregation, presents the history of the canonization of Saint John Eudes.

As the Eudist jubilee year approaches (December 8, 2024–January 9, 2026), marking the centenary of our Founder John Eudes’s canonization, Father Daniel Doré offers a lively, detailed history of the cause for his canonization. As the Congregation’s archivist, he shares excerpts from letters and documents that are little known to most of us. It is a fascinating and inspiring journey into the history of our Congregation. — Jean-Michel Amouriaux

Canonization

The canonization of Saint John Eudes

Father Daniel Doré

Eudist, Province of France; archivist of the Congregation

Watch the conference ▶

Mercy

The challenges of living mercy in today’s society

Sister Nidia Stella Quimbayo Garrido

Provincial leader for Colombia and Venezuela in the Congregation of
Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd

Watch the conference ▶

Mercy

Father Rafael García-Herreros’s response of mercy to the challenges of his time

Father Diego Jaramillo

Eudist, Minuto de Dios Province; president of Minuto de Dios

Watch the conference ▶

Conversation

Zoom conversation with Father Diego Jaramillo

Father Diego Jaramillo

Eudist, Minuto de Dios Province; president of Minuto de Dios

Watch the conference ▶

Interculturality

Zoom conversation with Father Edem Afoutou

Father Edem Afoutou

Eudist, Province of Africa; General Councillor and vicar for the Philippines

Watch the conference ▶

Introduction to intercultural communication

Intercultural communication is essential in our increasingly globalized world. It helps us understand and appreciate cultural differences, fostering more effective and enriching interactions.

As an international congregation whose many cultures interact across provinces, the Congregation of Jesus and Mary must meet the challenge of intercultural communication so that the life and light of God may continue to flow through the Congregation (see the Prologue of Saint John).

Read Edem Afoutou’s article ↗

May 29–31, 2023

2023 · Baptismal dignity and synodality

Bringing the Congregation of Jesus and Mary into the spirit of synodality.

Saint John Eudes’s contribution to current reflections on synodality

The Congregation of Jesus and Mary invites us to deepen our understanding of Saint John Eudes and the gifts his thought offers to the Church today. Although he did not address synodality in the terms used by the Catholic Church today, several aspects of his teaching can enrich this reflection.

Decentralization and shared responsibility. Saint John Eudes encouraged small groups of priests and religious to live an active community and apostolic life grounded in charity and solidarity. Shared responsibility enabled members to take part in decisions and in the governance of their community. This approach anticipates aspects of synodality, with its emphasis on collegiality and the participation of all God’s people in the life and decisions of the Church.

Listening and discernment. Saint John Eudes emphasized listening to the Word of God and discernment in the spiritual life. He encouraged his disciples to be guided by the Holy Spirit, attentive to the signs of the times and to the needs of God’s people. In a synodal process, attentive listening to the Spirit and pastoral discernment help the Church meet current challenges and seek paths of renewal together.

Collaboration among the members of the Church. Saint John Eudes recognized that every baptized person has a unique mission and a responsibility to contribute to the Church’s growth. He valued the complementary gifts and talents of each person and encouraged collaboration among lay people, religious, priests, and bishops. From a synodal perspective, the commitment and participation of all the faithful, especially lay people, are essential to the Church’s mission and to finding shared responses to pastoral challenges.

May 29 · A