St. John Berchmans – Patron of Youth and Altar Boys – November 26th
This Belgian Saint once said, “If I do not become a saint when I am young, I shall become one.” In fact, he did indeed die at the early age of twenty-two-and he had, without any doubt, reached his goal of sanctity.
As a child, John stayed very close to his sick mother, but still, he liked to join with his playmates in putting on plays about stories from the Bible. He was especially good at playing the part of David defending the innocent Susanna. By the time he was thirteen, he wanted to begin studying for the priesthood, but his good father, a shoemaker, needed his help in supporting the family. However, he finally decided to let John become a servant in the household of a priest, from where he could go to classes in the seminary.
Three years later, John Berchmans entered the Society of Jesus. He studied hard, enthusiastically acted out parts in holy plays, and above all, prayed fervently. He made a motto: “Have great care for little things,” and he lived up to it. For St. John Berchmans never performed any great, heroic deeds. But he did every little thing well, from waiting on table to copying down notes on his studies.
When he fell sick, no doctor could discover what illness he had, yet he knew he was going to die. He was very cheerful as always. When the doctor ordered that his forehead be bathed with wine, John joked: “It’s lucky that such an expensive sickness is not going to last long!” Miracles took place at his funeral, and people at once began to call him a Saint.
This saint can be a model for every youngster. He was a good son, a diligent student, a modest and pure boy. To be all this, in fact, to become a saint, John worked hard and prayed, especially to the Blessed Mother.