“If I do not become a saint while I am young, I will never become one.”

Discover the inspiring life of Saint John Berchmans, the young Jesuit who died at only 22 years old and became one of the celebrated young saints of the Society of Jesus. Unlike companions from aristocratic families, John was the eldest son of a modest shoemaker in Diest, Brabant.

From childhood, John showed a love for prayer, learning, and the priesthood. After overcoming family objections, he entered the Jesuit novitiate and pursued holiness through what he called a “storehouse of little things”—faithfulness to ordinary duties rather than extraordinary displays.

He later traveled on foot to Rome and studied at the Roman College, where his professors praised his remarkable intelligence, diligence, purity of conscience, and exemplary life.

John famously said, “My penance consists in leading the life of the community.” His spirituality teaches that sainthood can be found in obedience, study, prayer, charity, and doing small duties extraordinarily well.

His health declined rapidly in 1621. After receiving the last sacraments with deep devotion, Saint John died peacefully on August 13, 1621. Miracles were soon attributed to his intercession. He was beatified in 1865 and canonized in 1888.

🙏 Saint John Berchmans, pray for us.

00:00 Saint John Berchmans — August 13
00:18 “If I Do Not Become a Saint While Young…”
00:26 One of the Three Young Jesuit Saints
00:40 Son of a Humble Shoemaker
00:48 Born in Diest, Brabant
00:56 A Good and Friendly Boy
01:03 Early Education and Love of Holy Things
01:19 John and His Childhood Friends
01:36 Playing the Prophet Daniel
01:44 His Desire to Become a Priest
01:59 Leaving Home to Continue His Education
02:15 Life in Canon Fremont’s Household
02:32 John Discovers the Jesuits
02:47 Extraordinary Dedication to Study
03:05 Found Asleep While Kneeling in Prayer
03:12 Entering the Jesuit Novitiate
03:19 John’s Moving Farewell to His Parents
03:46 An Exemplary Jesuit Novice
03:59 “A Storehouse of Little Things”
04:15 Reflections on Christian Perfection
04:22 Death of His Mother
04:31 His Father Becomes a Priest
04:45 Preparing to Take His First Vows
05:00 John Learns of His Father’s Death
05:24 Journey to Rome
05:31 Arrival at the Roman College
05:46 His Extraordinary Intelligence and Study
06:17 Praised for His Exemplary Life
06:34 His Fellow Students Revere Him
06:42 His “Little Way” of Perfection
06:50 “My Penance Is Community Life”
06:58 Academic Success
07:07 His Health Begins to Fail
07:23 Joy and Humor During Illness
08:03 Examination of His Conscience
08:11 “Absolutely Nothing”
08:18 Final Agony and Peaceful Death
08:28 Miracles Through His Intercession
08:44 Rapid Spread of His Reputation for Sanctity
08:59 Beatification and Canonization

https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/august/

Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1

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