Saint John Berchmans was born on 13 March 1599. He was kind, gentle, and affectionate towards his parents and a favourite with his playmates during his childhood. He was brave and open, attractive in manner, and with a bright, joyful disposition. Since his early age, he wanted to be a priest, and when he was 13 years old, he became a altar server. He became a Jesuit seminarian in 1615. In 1618 he was sent to Rome to further his study and was known for his diligence and piety, and his stress on perfection even in small things. He was known for his devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and to Our Lady, to whom he composed a Chaplet in honour of her Immaculate Conception.
He died on 13 August 1621. He was declared a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. John Berchmans was beatified in 1865, and was canonized in 1888. Saint John Berchmans is the patron saint of altar servers.
For all Altar Servers
To be Christ's page at the altar,
To serve Him freely there.
Where even the Angels falter,
Bowed low in reverent prayer.
To touch the throne most holy,
To hand the gifts for the feast,
To see Him meekly, lowly,
Descend at the word of the priest.
To hear man's poor petition,
To sound the silver bell,
When He in sweet submission,
Comes down with us to dwell.
No grander mission surely
Could Saints or men enjoy;
No heart should love more purely,
Than yours my altar boys (altar servers).
God bless you, lad, forever,
And keep you in His care,
And Guard you that you never
Belie the robes you wear.
For white bespeaks untainted
A heart both tried and true;
And red tolls love the sainted
The holy martyrs knew.
Throughout life, then, endeavor
God's graces to employ;
And be in heart forever
A holy altar boy (altar servers).
by St. John Berchmans
St. John Berchmans, be my patron!
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