St. John Eudes was born in Ri, Normandy, France, on November 14, 1601. In 1615, he was sent to study with the Jesuits at Caen, and there he joined (1618) that school’s Sodality of Our Lady. In 1620, he received the tonsure and minor orders, but he remained uncertain whether he should become a diocesan priest. While in Caen, he became familiar with the Oratorians—a society of priests living in community that had been established by St. Philip Neri (see May 26)—and