Saint JOHN OF GOD

 

(al secolo Juan Ciudad)

Founder of the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God.     

Born in 1495 at Montemor-o-Novo (Portugal).

Died in Granada in 1550.

He grew up in his parents' middle class home until he was eight years old when, without his parents knowledge, he was taken to Oropesa (Spain) to live at the home of Francis Cid, known as the 'Mayoral' - the man responsible for looking after the livestock and the staff of the Count of Oropesa. He lived there for many years tending the sheep. At the age of 22, he enlisted in the army in the war against the French (1521). and ten years later in the war to liberate Vienna from the Turks.

Around 1527, he went to Granada where he set up a small business near the Elvira Gate, and was able to become a street hawker selling books. Deeply troubled by a sermon delivered by Saint John of Avila, the celebrated apostle of Andalusia, he decided to follow his advice and devote himself to serving the vast population of poor and suffering people in Granada in those days.

With the help of benefactors, he hired a place of refuge for them and then built a hospital at the foot of the Alhambra where he was able to take in many people living in wretched conditions and lovingly nurse for them using novel approaches to care, helped by Antón Martín and Pedro Velasco, his first companions. He would walk around the streets of Granada begging for alms and calling out: "Do good to yourselves, brothers, for the love of God". John “gathered up the poor abandoned, sick and lame people he came across in the streets and gave them material and spiritual care, telling them, ‘I want to take you to a doctor of the spirit who will heal your soul, so that a treatment for your body will certainly follow’" (Castro XII).

On 8 March 1550, a severe attack of pneumonia contracted as a result of jumping into the Genil river to save a drowning youth led to his death as he knelt at his bedside in the home of his benefactors, the noble Los Pisas family, wearing his habit and clutching a crucifix.

Following his example, the Hospitaller Order was born with the foundation of other hospitals, initially in Granada and then in other towns in Spain, Italy and elsewhere in Europe and the world, making the prophecy he made to one of his devoted followers come true: "Many others wearing the same habit will be ministering to the poor in every part of the world" (Castro XVIII).

In 1886, Leo XIII proclaimed him the Patron Saint of the sick and of hospitals. In 1930, Pius XI appointed him as the Patron Saint of nurses.

Beatified on 21 September 1630 by Urban VIII.

Canonised on 16 October 1690 by Alexander VIII.

His liturgical Feast Day is 8 March.