The much-heralded parish feast of Saint Peter-Julian Eymard was celebrated on Sunday 04 August 2024 in La Mure d'Isère. The preparations for this feast were marked by four events: the Novena to Saint Peter-Julian Eymard, the twelfth parish pilgrimage in the footsteps of Father Eymard, the adoration vigil and visits to the Eymard sites in La Mure. Father Eymard's meditations on the different parts of the Mass formed the basis of the teachings during this time of preparation. They can be found in the brochure for the Novena to Saint Peter-Julian Eymard: "Taking part in the Mass with Peter-Julian Eymard".
The twelfth pilgrimage took place on Thursday 01 August at Saint Romans-Chatte and Notre Dame de l'Osier. Fifteen people took part, on the themes of contemplating God's goodness to humankind, reading Sacred Scripture and loving Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament. A closing Mass was held at the Basilica of Notre Dame de l'Osier.
Around forty people attended the vigil of adoration on the theme of 'Eucharist and holiness'. In passages that were read from Father Eymard's preaching, he emphasises the importance of blessing the Lord for his goodness in establishing the Eucharist. Then he asks us to humble ourselves because of our ingratitude towards the adorable Eucharist. Finally, he exhorts us to dispose ourselves to live divine love.
Finally, a number of people took the opportunity to find out more about Father Eymard by visiting his birthplace, his museum and the Eymard Chapel. In the Eymard Museum, some were able to watch Armand Isnard's film: 'Saint Peter-Julian Eymard, the Sun of the Eucharist'. Others took their turn of adoration during the rotating adoration organised in the afternoon in the Chapelle Eymard.
At the festive High Mass on Sunday morning, Father Ferdinand Ndiolène, sss, on mission in Rouen, France, presided over the celebration of the Eucharist. The celebration brought together Christians from the parish, as well as people from various horizons: the parish of Notre Dame d'Esparron, Lyon and Belgium - some 600 people.
Father Ferdinand's homily focused on welcoming and passing on God's gift. Commenting on the first reading of this 18th Sunday, from the book of Exodus 16:2-4.12-15, the celebrant stressed the importance of having unshakeable trust in God, who never abandons his people in times of difficulty.
The Gospel passage is the one in which Jesus exhorts the crowd to "work not for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, whom God the Father has marked with his seal". The celebrant explained that it was a question of "renouncing the easy way out" and welcoming Jesus "as the bread of heaven, the giver of life. This food is widely offered to everyone. It is this gift from God that we welcome at every Mass."
This is why Christians are invited to pass on this love to everyone: "We Christians today are sent into the world to bear witness to this love that is in God and to communicate it to all those around us." Saint Peter-Julian Eymard, a saint from the Isère region, had the deep conviction that the love of Jesus in the Eucharist, celebrated, adored and lived, brings renewal to the life of the Church and society:
"It was through this mission of making people experience the greatness and depth of the Bread of Life, that a son of your soil gave himself body and soul so that the fire of the Eucharist could be lit in the four corners of the world: Jesus, the Bread of Life. Yes, brothers and sisters in Christ, like Saint Peter-Julian Eymard, we must let ourselves to be seized by the love of God manifested in the Eucharist to satisfy the hunger of mankind.”
At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, Father Nino Donda, the parish priest, invited everyone to a festive moment in the parish hall. The faces of the guests were filled with joy, jubilation and smiles. A noisy atmosphere spread around the hall. Men, women, young people and children, they were all there together like a real family, forging new fraternal relationships. It was touching.
Then it was time to put together the gifts received from the Lord for a shared meal. The meal included various specialities from the Matheysine region: murçon, mini brioche sausage, fillet of pollack, Provençal tomato, vegetable lasagne, pizza, quiche, mint tart, braised ham with mustard or forestry sauce and Sarladaise potatoes.
Each of us, in our own way, had tried to welcome God's gift of love, to de-centre ourselves in order to bring a little happiness to others. For we are invited to : "Love life only for the divine Eucharist, just as Heaven is loved only for God, and not for self" (OC, Vol.III, CO 1113).
Father Thaddée Mupapa, sss
Superior
