I found about St John of God in 2000 through Bro Diamantino when I was teaching in a nurses’ school. In 2005 I became fascinated with the figure of the Saint. Bro Augusto was responsible for that as he went about, communicating the Order’s spirituality and charism to Brothers and Co-Workers in the various Houses in Brazil.

 I did some research on the web to get a historical perspective on the Saint’s life. I visited the places where he lived. In Granada I was deeply moved to see the beggar’s bag in which he collected alms and I could almost hear his voice saying: “Do good to yourselves, Brothers, for the love of God.” A simple man  who may not even known how to read and write, he succeeded in starting a complete revolution of love. He set himself apart by showing that, incredibly, it is possible to engage in charity and help the poor without any economic resources.  He touched people’s sensibility. He conquered everyone with his charism. He brought about change. He is here, and always will be.

Have I changed? Enormously! Today, I try to “do good well”, to put myself in other people’s shoes and to feel that I can and must make the difference, by loving. I try to remember humbly that that I am here in order to be really useful.

I coordinate the PHV (Pastoral care, Humanization and Voluntary) sector at the Hospital of St John of God in Divinópolis, trying, with the participation of 200 volunteers, to make the humanization of care a reality in the health sector.

What makes me enthusiastic working together with a man who was able to love completely. I feel deeply fulfilled and grateful to be part of this great hospitaller family.