“If I do not become a saint when I am young, I shall never become one.”
Saint John Berchmans
Saint of the Day Quote: Saint John Berchmans
- Donald R. McClarey
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 43 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.
Just 30 minutes down the road from me is the Academy of the Sacred Heart (in Grand Coteau). There is a Shrine to St. John Berchmans in the exact location where he appeared to novice and miraculously healed her. This was the qualifying miracle for canonization; and the shrine is the only one in the United States at the location of an approved miracle.
Louisiana has been lucky to have a direct connection to several Saints and Blesseds. We currently have two Causes for Canonization in my diocese (Lafayette), including a 12-year-old (Charlene Richard) and a WW2 Army Chaplain (Fr. Verbis LaFleur, who was born in my hometown).
I miss attending Mass at St John the Evangelist Cathedral, Lafayette. The faith of the priests and that of the congregation is remarkable. The decorations for major feasts are especially beautiful too. Ditto the music. I need to return to streaming the daily Mass down there. When Virginia churches were shut down during COVID streaming Masses at St John was a faith life saver.