St. John Berchmans Coloring Page
This St. John Berchmans coloring page shows the young Jesuit in a cassock and white surplice, hands clasped around his crucifix, rosary and small rule book, beside an altar. The PDF is free to print. John Berchmans became a saint by doing small things with great love and is the patron of altar servers.
The story of St. John Berchmans
John was born in 1599 in a town called Diest, in Belgium. When he was about seven years old, he started getting up very early in the morning to serve Mass at church. Not just one Mass, but two or three every day! He loved being close to Jesus at the altar.
When his mother was very sick, John spent hours by her bed every day to keep her company. He also loved Mary, and he walked to her shrine near his town, praying the rosary on the way.
When he grew up, John joined the Jesuits. He was sent to study in Rome, and he walked there, all the way from Belgium, carrying a pack on his back. In Rome he lived in the same house where St. Aloysius Gonzaga had lived, and he tried to be like him.
John did not do anything big or famous. He studied hard, kept the rules, prayed, served Mass and was kind to everyone. He said, "My penance above all others, is common life." That means doing ordinary things every day with great love. He also said, "If I do not become a saint when I am young, I shall never become one."
When John was only 22, he caught a high fever. On his deathbed he held his crucifix, his rosary and his book of rules together and said, "These are my arms." He died on August 13, 1621.
St. John Berchmans is the patron saint of altar servers and of students.
What to color
- John's cassock: black, and his surplice white, just like many altar servers wear.
- The crucifix: brown wood or gold, for his love of Jesus.
- The rosary: any color you like, for his love of Mary.
- The rule book: brown, for doing his daily duties with love.
- The altar: a white cloth, gold candlesticks and cross, and yellow candle flames.
- The lilies: white, for a pure heart.
A prayer to pray together
Many altar servers pray the old prayer of his feast before Mass. It asks God that "we Your servants may follow, in Your service, the example of innocence and fidelity" of St. John Berchmans. Children can pray:
St. John Berchmans, pray for us. Help me to do small things with great love.
Ideas for families and classrooms
- Color this page on August 13, his feast in the Roman Martyrology. The Jesuits keep it on November 26.
- Give a finished copy to the altar servers in your parish, with a thank-you note.
- Ask your parish about becoming an altar server, or learn the names of the things on the altar.
- Choose one small, ordinary job, like making your bed or setting the table, and do it with great love for Jesus every day this week.
- Talk about it: John became a saint by doing small things well. What small things can you offer to God?
Read the full story: St. John Berchmans in the encyclopedia.
Frequently asked questions
What colors should I use for St. John Berchmans?
Color his cassock black and leave his surplice white, like an altar server's. The crucifix can be brown or gold, the rosary any color, and the rule book brown. Make the candle flames yellow and the altar cloth white.
What is St. John Berchmans holding?
His crucifix, his rosary and the book of rules for Jesuit students. When he was dying, he held all three together and said, "These are my arms." They are his signs in art.
Why is he the patron saint of altar servers?
From the age of about seven, John got up early to serve two or three Masses a day, and he kept serving Mass gladly in Rome. He once said it was never an inconvenience for him to serve Mass.
Is this coloring page free for schools?
Yes. Print as many copies as you need for your home, classroom or parish.