 Eymard was born February 4, 1811, at La Mure, Isère, France.He was a contemporary and friend of Peter Chanel, John Vianney, Marcellin Champagnat, and the sculptor, Auguste Rodin.On July 20, 1834, Eymard was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Grenoble, and in 1839 he joined the Marist Fathers.