Memorial of St. John Berchmans, Religious of the Society of Jesus

Every 26th of November, the universal Society of Jesus celebrates the Memory of a young Saint, John Berchmans. St. John Berchmans, S.J. (1599-1621) entered the Society of Jesus at the age of seventeen. During his brief life he quickly gained a reputation for being observant and faithful to his religious duties and his studies. He was well-known for his brilliance in philosophy. Considered by many Jesuits as the perfect personification of fidelity to the Constitutions of the Society. He died on 13 August 1921. He was canonized by Pope Leo XIII in the year 1888. Below is a prayer composed by St. John Berchmans. The prayer is taken from the booklet "Hearts on Fire."



Mary, My Advocate

Holy Mary, Virgin Mother of God,
I choose you this day
to be my queen, my patroness, and my advocate,
and I firmly resolve never to leave you,
and never to say or do anything against you,
nor ever permit others to do anything against your honor.
Receive me, then, I beg of you, for your servant forever.
Help me in my every action,
and abandon me not at the hour of my death. AMEN.