John Berchmans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintJohn Berchmans SJ |
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| Jesuit Scholastic and Saint | |
| Born | 13 March 1599 Diest, Seventeen Provinces |
| Died | 13 August 1621 (aged 22) Rome, Papal States |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 28 May 1865 |
| Canonized | 15 January 1888 |
| Major shrine | Sant'Ignazio |
| Feast | 26 November (after 1969) 13 August (until 1969) |
| Attributes | Often depicted with hands clasped, holding his crucifix, his book of rules, and his rosary. |
| Patronage |
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John Berchmans (born March 13, 1599 – died August 13, 1621) was a young Jesuit student. He is honored as a saint in the Catholic Church. He is known for living an ordinary life in an extraordinary way.
John Berchmans is the patron saint of altar servers. He is also a patron for Jesuit students and all students.
Contents
John's Early Life
John Berchmans was born on March 13, 1599. His hometown was Diest, which is now part of Belgium. His father was a shoemaker. John was the oldest of five children. He was named John after John the Baptist.
He grew up during a time of religious conflict. There was a war between Catholics and Protestants in his home country. When John was nine, his mother became very sick. He spent many hours each day by her side.
John went to grammar school in Diest. He also worked as a servant for a church leader named Canon John Froymont. This job helped him continue his studies. John also visited the Marian shrine of Scherpenheuvel. This holy place was a few miles from his home.
Joining the Jesuits
In 1615, the Jesuits opened a new college in Mechelen, Belgium. John Berchmans was one of the first students to join. He quickly joined a group called the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin.
When John told his parents he wanted to join the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), his father tried to change his mind. His father even said he would stop supporting him financially. But John was determined.
On September 24, 1616, John joined the Jesuit novitiate. He was a friendly and kind person. Everyone liked him. He hoped to become a priest and serve in the army. He even dreamed of becoming a martyr.
Studies and Passing Away
On January 24, 1618, John made his first vows. He then went to Antwerp to study philosophy. After a few weeks, he was sent to Rome. He walked all the way to Rome with his belongings on his back.
In Rome, he joined the Roman College. He studied there for two years. In 1621, he started his third year of philosophy studies.
In August 1621, John was chosen to join a discussion about philosophy. This discussion was at another college in Rome. John spoke clearly and deeply. But after returning to his room, he became very ill. He caught a serious fever. His lungs became inflamed, and he grew weaker quickly.
John passed away on August 13, 1621. He was only 22 years old. Many people came to see his body. They prayed for his help. His remains were buried in Rome at the Sant'Ignazio Church.
His Beliefs and Devotion
John Berchmans looked up to another Jesuit saint, Aloysius Gonzaga. He was also inspired by the English Jesuit martyrs. John believed that doing ordinary things well was a path to holiness. He especially loved Mary, mother of Jesus. He even created a special prayer called the Little Rosary of the Immaculate Conception.
Becoming a Saint
John Berchmans was declared "Blessed" in 1865. This is the step before becoming a saint. He was then made a saint in 1888. Statues of him often show him with his hands together. He usually holds a crucifix, a book of rules, and his rosary.
After his death, John's heart was sent back to Belgium. It is kept in a special silver container in a church in Leuven.
The Miracle in Louisiana
The miracle that led to John's sainthood happened in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. In 1866, a young woman named Mary Wilson was very sick. Her health was getting worse. She could only drink liquids for about 40 days.
Mary prayed in her heart: "Lord, if it is for your glory and my soul's good, please help me through Blessed Berchmans. Otherwise, give me patience." She then saw John Berchmans appear to her. Right away, she was healed!
In 2006, a boys' school was opened at the same place. It was named St. John Berchmans School. This is the only place in the United States where a confirmed miracle happened at that exact spot.
John Berchmans' feast day is celebrated by the Society of Jesus on November 26.
Remembering John Berchmans
In 1965, the Belgium Post Authority released a stamp. It showed John Berchmans and his childhood home.
The St. John Berchmans Sanctuary Society is a group for altar servers. Many churches still have chapters of this group.
Belgian farmers settled in San Antonio, Texas, in the late 1800s. They started farms and sold their crops. They built a one-room school that also served as a chapel. This chapel became known as St. John Berchmans. It was a Belgian church until 1947.
In 1902, the Jesuits were asked to start a new church in Shreveport, Louisiana. They named it after St. John Berchmans. This was because of the miracle that happened nearby in Grand Coteau. In 1986, this church became the main church (Cathedral) for the Diocese of Shreveport.
Many schools and churches around the world are named after Saint John Berchmans. Here are some of them:
- St. John Berchmans College (Brussels, Belgium)
- St. Berchmans College (Changanacherry, Kottayam, India)
- St. John Berchmans College (Antwerp, Belgium)
- St. John Berchmans College (Diest, Belgium)
- St. John's Beaumont (Old Windsor, Berkshire, England)
- St. John's High School (Ranchi, Jharkhand, India)
- Cathedral of St. John Berchmans (Shreveport, Louisiana, USA)
- St. John's Jesuit High School and Academy (Toledo, Ohio, USA)
- St. John Berchmans School (Cali, Colombia)
- St. John's College (Belize City, Belize)
- St. John Berchmans Parish and School (Chicago, Illinois, USA)
- Saint John Berchmans Academy of the Sacred Heart (Grand Coteau, Louisiana, USA)
See also
- Saint John Berchmans, patron saint archive
