Revolution of Love.com
St. John Berchmans
(1599-1621)
In 1621, a Jesuit novice named John Berchmans died at the age of twenty-two. Over two hundred years later Pope Leo XIII declared him a saint. Pope Leo XIII’s decision to raise John Berchmans to sainthood was not based upon John’s austere way of life, nor was it based upon any miracles he performed while alive. Neither was it based upon any intellectual accomplishments he achieved, nor because he kept all night vigils. Rather John was declared a saint because he lived an ordinary life as a religious, but in an extraordinary way.
Born in Belgium in 1599, John grew up in a very devout home. After attending the Jesuit school in Malines, he entered the Jesuit novitiate in 1616. Two years later, John was transferred to Rome where he began studying philosophy at the Roman College. While preparing for a public debate to defend the faith, John became ill and a week later died on August 13, 1621.
Even though John’s life was short, his superiors and fellow religious at the Roman College took notice of his “little way,” of sanctity. Like Therese, The Little Flower, John discovered a pathway to Heaven that anyone could follow, no matter their vocation or station in life.
John never looked for sanctity outside of his vocation as a Jesuit novice, but instead found it within his studies, duties, responsibilities and prayers. Everything he did, no matter how routine or mundane, he offered up to God. By doing so, John not only grew in holiness, but was able to sanctify each day of his short life.
John’s spiritual life is a great example for lay people everywhere who, for the most part, are living an ordinary life. John proves that whether you are married, single or a religious, if you are faithful to your vocation and each day do your best to offer up every moment, duty, and circumstance, no matter how ordinary it may be, you can become a saint.
By taking “great store in little things,” as John once wrote in his spiritual notebook, anyone can reach the heights of holiness.
God bless.
St. John Berchmans 's feast day is November 26. He is the patron saint of altar servers and young people.
For further reading about St. John Berchmans visit:
Patron Saints Index - St. John Berchmans
The Catholic Encyclopedia (NewAdvent.org) - St. John Berchmans