St. John Eudes chose Mary as his spouse. At the age of 18, he placed a ring on the finger of a state of Our Lady and drew up “A Contract of Holy Alliance with the Most Holy Virgin.”
“O admirable and totally lovable Mary, it is no marvel that you consented to be the spouse of the least of all men and the greatest of all sinners, who, since his earliest years, has dared to choose you as his only and exclusive spouse. He chose to consecrate his body, heart, and soul to you. The reason for this is that you imitate the infinite goodness of Jesus, your Son, who consented to be the spouse of such a miserable and sinning soul as mine… As the bride and the groom should love one another with a sincere, constant and cordial love, so I, too, have been given all the possible proof of your incomparable favours towards me, O most lovable one. In the same way, I also know the flame, the depth and the tenderness for you of my loving heart… As the spouses are held responsible to mutual assistance and to console one another in their infirmities, illnesses and afflictions, my desire is also to serve and console you according to the power which God gives me. I will do so in the persons who are poor, the sick, the afflicted, in whom I will see you as a mother is seen in her children. I beseech you once again, most beloved one, to help, protect and sustain me in all of my corporal and spiritual needs. Just as the bride and the groom should have only one heart and one soul, may I also have a perfect unity with you in soul, spirit, will and heart, if it pleases you, O Queen of my heart. Take away my heart and give me yours so that this may happen… Behold, O Queen of my heart, the conditions of the contract of the holy alliance which you have inspired me to make with you, as the most holy spouse of my spirit and my heart…
The entire text of this Contract may be found in the Oeuvres choisies of St. John Edues, edited by C. Lebrun, Paris (1934) 433-434.
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