Saint John Berchmans (13 August): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

“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 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #SaintJohnBerchmans #StJohnBerchmans #JohnBerchmans #JesuitSaints #Jesuits #SocietyOfJesus #CatholicSaints #SaintOfTheDay #August13 #CatholicYouth #YoungSaints #CatholicStudents #PatronSaintOfStudents #LivesOfTheSaints #ButlersLivesOfTheSaints #AlbanButler #CatholicFaith #CatholicChurch