HISTORY OF SAINT JOHN BERCHMANS

The patron saint of altar servers John berchmans was born on March 13, 1599 at Driest, Brabant, Belgium. He was the son of a shoemaker, and one of five children, three of whom entered religious life, He had a great devotion to his position as an altar boy and is known today as the patron saint of altar servers. He spent much of his time caring for his mother who was in poor health. Deciding to become a Jesuit after reading the life of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga.
     John entered the Jesuit College at Malone's and was sent to Rome to study philosophy in 1619. John had a dream of helping and teaching multi-lingual migrants, and he studied all the chief languages of Europe. He wanted to work in China after ordination. On August 12,1621, He died in Rome of unknown causes following his participation in a public debate defending the faith. He died clutching his rosary, crucifix, and rules of his order. He did not live to be ordained.
     John Berchmans was not noted for extraordinary feast of holiness or austerity, nor did he found orders. His short religious life was distinguished by a faithful observation of the rules of the order. He made kindness, courtesy, and constant fidelity and important part of his holiness. The part to holiness can lie in the ordinary.
     John Berchmans relive are at Saint Ignatius church, Rome. He was beautified on 1865 by pope Pius IX and canonised  on 1888 by pope Leo XIII, His memorial is on November 26th. His emblems are the rules of Ignatius, a cross, and a rosary.  He is the patron of youth. Altar servers societies are named after him.