Saint John Berchmans was born on March 13, 1599. He is the eldest among five children and their father was a shoemaker.
He wanted to join the Society of Jesus but many people were opposed to this. People, including his father, dissuaded him from pursuing this path. However, in 1616, he still entered the Jesuit novitiate. Two years later, 1618, he was able to make his first vows. In 1621, Berchmans was selected to participate in a discussion at a Greek College. While he was there, he fell ill.
He passed away on August 13, 1621. A large crowd gathered to view his remains for days.
