A Cheerful Lad

Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Today the Church celebrates St. John Berchmans, SJ. This Belgian saint once said, “If I do not become a saint when I am young, I shall never become one.” In fact, he died at the early age of twenty-two—and he had, without any doubt, reached his goal of sanctity.

John was born in 1599. As a child, he stayed very close to his sick mother. Still, he liked to join his young friends in putting on plays about Bible stories. He was especially good at playing the part of Daniel defending the innocent Susanna. By the time he was thirteen, he wanted to begin studying for the priesthood. However, his father, a shoemaker, needed his help in supporting the family. Finally, Mr. Berchmans decided to let John become a servant in the household of a priest. From there he could go to classes in the seminary.

Three years later, John Berchmans entered the Society of Jesus. He prayed, studied hard, and enthusiastically acted out parts in religious plays. He made a motto: “Have great care for little things,” and he lived up to it. St. John Berchmans never performed any great, heroic deeds, but he did every little thing well, from waiting on tables to taking notes in class.

When he became sick, no doctor could discover what illness he had. Yet John knew he was going to die. He was very cheerful as always. When the doctor ordered that his forehead be bathed with wine, John joked: “It’s lucky that such an expensive sickness is not going to last long.”

John Berchmans died in 1621. Miracles took place at his funeral. Right away people began to call him a saint. He was canonized in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII.

This saint can be a model for every young person. He was a good son, a diligent student, and a dedicated Christian. John worked hard to become a saint. He prayed, especially to the Blessed Mother. We, too, can pray to Mary, and ask her to show us the way to be cheerful and helpful in our everyday lives. (iMissal, Saint A Day)

Here are his well known sayings:
❦  Have great care for little things!
❦ If I do not become a saint when I am young, I shall never become one.
❦  Our true worth does not consist in what human beings think of us. What we really are consists in what God knows us to be.
❦  When he died, he was holding onto his rosary, a crucifix and the rules of his order. As he was dying he said: "These are my three treasures; with these, I shall gladly die."

Which one is the best heart touching statement for you and why?

Lord our God, you invite us always to give you our love and you are pleased with a cheerful giver. Give us a youthful spirit, to be like St. John, always eager to seek you and to do your will. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. (Collect Prayer)

Hail Mary full of grace...

Peace in Christ,
Fr. Vincent-Vương Nguyễn

P.S.
Please join us THANKSGIVING DAY MASS ‪at 9:00 am‬. We have so sooo much to be thankful for! Consider bringing the bread and/or wine that you will serve at your Thanksgiving meal to be blessed during Mass. See y’all soon and Happy Thanksgiving!