By the Communications Office, Rome
From the Philippines to Peru, from Myanmar to Mexico, our sisters and partners-in-mission honored the life and legacy of Saint John Eudes on August 19th as they gathered in their communities, ministries, schools, and parishes for prayers, events, and reflections to celebrate how this 17th-century priest, preacher, and reformer continues to transform lives today.
A Spiritual Journey Across Continents
In the Philippines, Sr. Lulu Fabia prepared a three-day triduum with the theme “With Saint John Eudes: Pilgrims of Hope to the Heart of Jesus and Mary.” This spiritual pilgrimage invited participants to explore both the life of Saint John Eudes and God’s plan in their own lives. On the morning of the feast day mass, sisters joined the local Eudist San Antonio de Padua Parish for a procession in honor of the saint.
In Catanduanes, where a relic of Saint John Eudes had just been installed in the adoration chapel of our contemplative sisters, Bishop Luisito Occiano of Virac presided over the feast day mass, after which sisters and partners-in-mission distributed food packs and cash gifts to those in need, embodying the saint’s compassion for the vulnerable.
Myanmar witnessed a particularly significant celebration as the feast coincided with the Silver Jubilee of five sisters marking 25 years of consecrated life, presided over by Archbishop Charles Cardinal Bo of Yangon, Bishop Maurice Nyunt Wai of Mawlamyine, together with fifty priests from different dioceses.
Embracing the theme “Pilgrims of Hope on a Shepherding Mission,” the Central East India Province witnessed three sisters make their perpetual profession during the feast, presided over by Archbishop Elias Gonsalves of Nagpurin.
In Southwest India, the celebration engaged over 1,500 children and 100 staff members from Good Shepherd Convent schools. Students presented a touching reenactment of how Saint John Eudes courageously saved young girls from sexual exploitation and human trafficking, bringing his historical mission into sharp contemporary focus and inspiring new generations with the zeal of our mission.
Events this year showcased the power of modern technology to unite the global Good Shepherd family as sisters and partners-in-mission from Lebanon, Syria, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion Belgium, France, and Canada joined together via Zoom to pray, sing and share personal testimonies, as well as a take a virtual tour of Saint John Eudes’ house in Caen, bringing participants closer to their spiritual roots.
Across Eastern Central Africa Province, new vocations were welcomed, and events were held for sisters as they renewed their vows or celebrated their silver, golden, and diamond jubilees. Particular acknowledgment was given to the institutions that bear the name of Saint John Eudes, such as the St. John Eudes Rehabilitation Centre in Kenya, which offers hope to street children, and the St. John Eudes Ladies Hostel in Nairobi, which provides safe accommodation for female students pursuing higher education. These institutions serve as “radiant beacons of his enduring influence“.
For the nine days preceding the feast day, each community in Angola and Mozambique held prayers, songs, and reflections, culminating in events which welcomed our wider family of partners-in-mission, young people, and program participants.
South Africa also held a nine-day prayer novena with sacred spaces created in homes, communities, and ministries. The celebration included multimedia presentations that helped younger participants connect with the saint’s life, following which each child received a gift—a simple gesture rooted in love that mirrors Saint John Eudes’ own compassion. One partner-in-mission shared how: “St. John Eudes inspires me by the manner in which he responded to women who raised concerns about being abused. He prayed every day for them and stood with them.”
Hearts Enkindled with Mission
Across Latin America, the celebrations reflected the vibrant faith and deep devotion characteristic of the region. The Colombo-Venezuelan Province marked the feast with novenas, liturgies, community reflections, and Eucharistic celebrations presided over by Eudist priests.
In Ecuador, the feast became “a moment to feel connected and to commemorate the beautiful and inspiring history of our Congregation.” Communities, ministries, schools, and training centers brought together sisters, partners-in-mission, students, and families to pray, sing, and share memories that keep Saint John Eudes’ missionary spirit alive.
In Peru, students and teachers gathered in their schools to honor the example of love and service set by Saint Jean Eudes. In Lima, the sisters joined the Eudist Fathers at the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Lord of Divine Mercy, a moment of unity and communion that reaffirmed their shared mission and commitment to carry forward the legacy of our shared founder.
A particularly moving testimony came from Mexico, where one sister reflected: “At Mass, I imagined Saint John Eudes as part of the cloud of witnesses mentioned in the Letter to the Hebrews, and he shouted to me: ‘do not be afraid, do not hold back, let your heart burn with love and mercy to reach as many people as possible’.”
Bridging Past and Present
In North America, Saint John Eudes was commemorated “a fearless reformer, fiery preacher, and compassionate founder who brought mercy and renewal to 17th-century France.” The celebration emphasized how, nearly a century before Saint Mary Euphrasia was born, he founded the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity, planting the spiritual roots that would later inspire the formation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd.
The North American celebration included a special video and mission reflections gathering, featuring a lively Saint John Eudes Pop Quiz, which demonstrated how traditional devotion can be expressed through contemporary formats that engage new generations.
From Historical Mission to Contemporary Action
These global celebrations reveal how Saint John Eudes’ 17th-century mission of compassion translates into contemporary action. His original work saving women from exploitation finds modern expression in Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd’s ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking, provide safe housing for vulnerable women, and offer education to marginalized children.
The saint’s devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary continues to inspire communities to center their lives on divine love while expressing that love through concrete service to those in need. As Cardinal Bo reminded the Myanmar community, the mission “is not just about doing, but about becoming – embodying Jesus’ compassion and presence.”
A Global Family United in Mission
The feast celebrations of 2025 powerfully demonstrate that Saint John Eudes remains not just a historical figure to be remembered, but a living spiritual guide whose heart “still beats in the mission of the Eudist family today.” Through prayer and service, education and advocacy, local community building and global digital connection, the worldwide Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd family continues to embody his founding vision: that love is always the first language of mission, and that true joy springs from hearts wholly given to God and devoted to serving those most in need.
As communities around the world gathered to honor their spiritual father, they recommitted themselves to being “pilgrims of hope” who carry forward his legacy of compassion, courage, and unwavering dedication to the marginalized. In doing so, we ensure that Saint John Eudes’ 400-year-old vision continues to transform lives and communities in our contemporary world.
