Congregation of Jesus and Mary

Society of apostolic life in the Roman Catholic Church

The Congregation of Jesus and Mary (Congregatio Iesu et Mariae), abbreviated CIM or (CJM) also known as the Eudists (Latin: Congregatio Eudistarum), is a society of apostolic life of Pontifical Right for men in the Catholic Church. It was established on March 25, 1643 by Saint Fr. John Eudes, C. I. M.

The Congregation of Jesus and Mary was instituted at Caen, in Normandy, France, on 25 March 1643 by Oratorian Jean Eudes. The principal works of the Congregation were the education of priests in seminaries and the giving of parish missions. To develop the spirit of Jesus Christ in the members of the Congregation, Father Eudes institutionalized the celebration every year in his seminaries the feast of the Holy Priesthood of Jesus Christ and of all Holy Priests and Levites. After the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary it is the second most important feast celebrated by the community. The solemnity begins on 13 November, and thus serves as a preparation for the renewal of the clerical promises on 21 November, the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin. As early as 1649 Father Eudes had prepared an Office proper to the feast. Some years later the feast and office were adopted by the Sulpician Fathers. During the lifetime of Father Eudes, the congregation founded seminaries in France at Caen (1643), Coutances (1650), Lisieux (1653), Rouen (1658), Évreux (1667), and Rennes (1670). These were all "grand" or "major"seminaries; Father Eudes never thought of founding any other. He admitted, however, besides clerical students, priests with newly granted benefices who came for further study, those who wished to make retreats, and even lay students who followed the courses of the Faculty of Theology. The San Diego Local Community includes Carlsbad, Vista, and Solana Beach, California, where they have charge of the parish of St. James/St. Leo. And in 2005 the Congregation opened its first community in Asia in Tagaytay, Philippines. From there they moved to Quezon City (by Ateneo de Manila University) where they have their house of formation Saint John Eudes. They also have a retreat house in Taytay, Rizal, from which Eudists help with ministry and retreats in numerous parishes.

The purpose which Father Eudes assigned to his congregation made him decide not to introduce religious vows. Although not a religious order, the Congregation of Jesus and Mary is subject to discipline that does not differ from that of religious orders with simple vows. The administration is modelled on that of the Oratorians to which Eudes had belonged for twenty years. The supreme authority resides in a general assembly that names the superior general, elected for five years. He has the right to name and depose local superiors, to fix the personnel of each house, to make the annual visit, to admit and if necessary dismiss subjects, to accept or to give up foundations, and, in general, to perform or at least authorize all important acts. He is aided by assistants named by the general assembly, who have a deciding vote in temporal affairs and only a consulting in other questions. The Province of France operates the Foyer Saint Jean Eudes, a guesthouse for people coming to Paris for university studies, or to participate in meetings or conferences organized by the bishops of France, Catholic education, or a Christian association.