St. Eucherius was born at Orleans, France. Every day his mother would offer him to God, and he was given a very good education. A sentence from the letters of St. Paul made a big change in him. The sentence was: “This world, as we see it, is passing away.” It made him realize that our lives on this earth are very short and that Heaven and Hell last forever. He decided then and there to earn the joys of Heaven by living for God alone.
So Eucherius left his rich home and entered the Benedictine Abbey. There he spent seven years in close union with God.
After the death of his uncle, the Bishop of Orleans, he was chosen to take his place as Bishop. Eucherius was then only twenty-five and he was very humble. He did not want to leave his beloved Abbey. With tears, he begged to be allowed to remain alone with God in the monastery. But finally, he gave in for love of obedience. Eucherius became a holy, wise Bishop and did much good to his priests and to his people.
Charles Martel, who was Mayor of the Palace, used to take some of the Church’s money to use for war. Because Bishop Eucherius told him that was wrong, Charles had him taken prisoner.
But the governor in whose charge he put him was so moved by Eucherius’ meekness toward his enemies that some time later, he sent him back to a monastery.
Here, the Saint spent all his time in prayer until his death.
Let us, too, remember what St. Paul says: “This world is passing away,” and try to think more of Heaven.
