The Letters
of Saint Peter Julian EymardTranslated from the French
by Sr. Catherine Marie Caron, S.S.S.
TO MME. NATALIE JORDAN (née BRÉNIER DE MONTMORAND)
(VIII 1/IV 75) DOC. 0601Saint Peter Julian often referred to Mrs. Jordan as "my eldest daughter." Born in March 1810, she outlived Fr. Eymard who directed her personally from 1846 and by correspondence from 1850-1868. He appointed her as Directress of the married women's branch of the Third Order of Mary.
Both were born in the Dauphine Region of France and were proud of their common roots. They were close in age, conviction, feelings and ideals. On a visit to Lyons in 1865, Fr. Eymard told her that they were sister-souls going through the same stages of the spiritual life together. He kept her informed of the principal events in his life and visited her and her family in Lyons and Calet when he could do so. He also corresponded with her daughter Mathilde and her niece Edmée de Montmorand.)
Rue d'Énfer
ParisJune 26, 1856
All for the love and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Eucharist.
Madame and very dear sister in Mary,
I was very grateful that you remembered me. Union in God has no vicissitudes whether in form, time, or circumstances. The soul has no state, no life other than the will of God. You understand me ― the name changes nothing. (63)
Here I am then, devoted and consecrated to the realization of a beautiful project (64), that of creating for Jesus Christ in the Blessed Eucharist a guard of honor of faithful adorers, so that the King of Heaven may have, like kings of earth, a court of devoted hearts. Perpetual adoration is to be made by the Religious of the Most Blessed Sacrament, in conjunction with the Associates in the world who will come to give a few hours of the day or the night to the exercise of adoration.
Love does not stop there. It needs zeal. Fire ascends, spreads, and would consume everything. Religious of the Most Blessed Sacrament are consecrated to the Eucharistic ministry, 40 hours preached in parishes, First Communion retreats ― and the work of the First Communion of adults, as well as the aggregation for adoration. So you can see that there is only one idea (65); though the scope is vast, the focus is always Eucharistic.
As befits the things of God, the little Society of the Most Blessed Sacrament is beginning in poverty and simplicity. It is (like) the grain of wheat which is first buried in the ground, then germinates, grows and bears fruit. . . . The essential thing for us is to have the blessing of God ― and to be faithful to his grace; and so we have great need of prayers ― that is the first alms of charity.
Thank you, dearest daughter, for your gift to the new cenacle. May God reward you infinitely. It is beautiful stone for our new little chapel, and from which Jesus will send forth his rays far and wide. As for the beautiful altar cloth that you are so kind to embroider, our altar, in Roman style, will not take lace wider than 10 to 15 centimeters. The length of the table is 2 meters 63 centimeters, the width 88 ― the height of the altar from which the cloth is to hang is 90. If only you were in Paris! You could come and see for yourself and pray in this cenacle! We place you at the feet of our Lord ― you, your dear husband, and your children.
The Society of the Blessed Sacrament is founded outside the Society of Mary ― the two cannot go together ― and the members must not be Marists. That much is clear. You realize how much we need God to really choose the pioneers who will begin the work. Several priests, and good priests, must come to join us.
What a new disappointment for you, dear daughter! Certainly the position of councilor would have been the very best. God hasn't willed it for some greater good. We must adore his adorable designs.
When you write to your dear daughter, (66) please remember me to her. One of these days I shall write her.
63 Change of Congregation
64 French: pensée.
65 French: pensée.
66 Mathilde Giraud-Jordan