St. John of God

St. John of God Biography

St. John of God (1495-1550) was a Spanish-Portuguese religious figure, who is honored as a saint by the Catholic Church, for his work as a hospitaler and a founder of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God.

Born in Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal, John was a soldier and shepherd in his early years. He lead an unsettled life and had a reputation for being wild and impulsive. Eventually, he had a spiritual conversion experience and he dedicated his life to helping the sick and the poor. He traveled to Spain where he settled in Granada, he started caring for the sick and homeless, and soon opened his own hospital in 1537.

His work and dedication quickly caught the attention of the local bishop, who recognized his vocation and encouraged him to organize his hospital into a religious community. In 1540, he founded the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, which focused on the care of the poor, the sick, and the mentally ill.

John’s approach was characterized by humility, compassion, and selflessness. He believed that all people, regardless of their social status, deserved to be treated with dignity and respect. He also emphasized the importance of training the staff and the importance of education for the patients. He was also recognized for his charity and dedication, and soon his hospitals were located across Spain and Portugal.

The Life of St. John of God

St. John was born in Portugal in 1495. His parents were poor, but devout and charitable and served as perfect role models for the future saint. The first years of John’s life were spent as a shepherd, in great innocence and purity. In 1522 he enlisted as a soldier and fought in the war against the French; as he did later in Hungary against the Turks. His association with evil companions caused him to lose his fear of offending God and to give up his practices of devotion.

Return to God

At the age of forty, stung with remorse for his past misconduct, he resolved to change his life and do penance for his sins. He spent the entirety of his days and night in prayer and mortification, lamenting over his ingratitude towards God. He reflected heavily on what way he could dedicate himself in the most perfect manner to redeem himself and be of service to God.

His compassion for the poor slaves in Africa caused him to travel there, but on the advice of his confessor John returned to Spain. When he reached Gibraltar his piety suggested that he turn peddler and sell pictures and books of devotions which might help bring his customers to virtue. At the age of forty-three, in 1538. John settled in Granada, where he opened a shop to carry on the sale of his religious articles.

Service to the Poor and Sick

Upon hearing a sermon in that city by the renowned servant of God, John D’Avila, he was so affected that he broke down in tears and filled the church with his sorrow and repentance. After a pilgrimage to a shrine of Our Lady, he began to sell wood in the market place to feed some of the poor. Then, in 1540, he rented a house where he could care for the sick-poor. This was the foundation of the Order of Brothers Hospitallers (Brothers of St. John of God) which, still exists, principally in the Latin countries. The Archbishop of Granada observed the excellent work for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the poor, and contributed considerable sums to support it. This inspired many other persons to make sacrifices for the needy.

After ten years of hard service in his hospital, St. John of God fell ill. The saint died while on his knees before the altar on March 8, 1550, at the age of fifty-five. He has glorified by many miracles, and was canonized by Pope Alexander VIII in 1690.

Popular St. John of God Medal and St. John of God Rosary

Prayers to St. John of God

O God, who caused blessed John when burning with love for you,
to walk unharmed through the midst of flames,
and through him enriched your Church with a new religious family;
grant that, through the help of his merits,
our sins may be burned away by the fire of your love,
and eternal remedies may come to us.
Through Christ our Lord.

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Prayers for the Intercession of St. John of God

St. John of God,
patron of the sick and compassionate Brother
to all who suffer or are troubled in any way,
I turn to you with great confidence in my time of need.
I ask you John to speak to Jesus on my behalf.
He will listen to you because you tried to be like Him
in the compassion and love you had for people in need.
I know only Jesus can really help me,
but I also know that He can be influenced by someone close to Him,
I plead with you Brother John
to present this special intention of mine to Jesus
so that He may grant it, according to His will ……(mention the intention).
Help me John to strengthen my faith, my hope and love
for Jesus and our Mother Mary
for whom you had such a special love.
All glory to the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Prayer to St. John of God 

Dear St. John of God,

You were a man of great faith and compassion, dedicating your life to serving the sick and the poor. I ask for your intercession as I seek to follow your example and to help those in need.

May your example inspire me to be a person of deep compassion, strong character, and unwavering faith.

Amen.

Prayer to St. John of God

St. John of God,

You were a man of great wisdom and kindness, always seeking to bring comfort and healing to those who were suffering. Help me to follow your example, and to always have a heart that is open to the needs of those around me.

May your love for God and your dedication to his work fill me with the courage and strength to do what is right, no matter the cost.

Amen.

Prayer to St. John of God

O St. John of God,

You were a man of great courage and perseverance, facing many trials and difficulties in your work as a nurse and servant of the sick. Help me to have the courage to face my own challenges, and to always trust in the Lord and his plan for my life.

May your devotion to God and your love for his people inspire me to be a faithful servant, always striving to do his will in all things.

Amen.

 

St. John of God: Patron Saint of the Sick and Hospitals

St. John of God, also known as St. John of God Hospitalario, is recognized as the patron saint of the sick and hospitals. Born in Portugal in 1495, St. John of God was known for his compassionate nature and dedication to helping those in need. He lived a difficult life, marked by poverty and instability, but eventually devoted himself fully to caring for the sick and the poor.

St. John of God founded the Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God, an order of nurses dedicated to serving the sick and the poor. This order has since spread throughout the world and is still active today, providing care to those in need. St. John of God is remembered for his selfless love and devotion to the sick and the marginalized, and is revered as a symbol of compassion and mercy.

In recognition of his contributions to the field of healthcare, St. John of God is venerated as the patron saint of the sick and hospitals. He is invoked by those seeking comfort, healing, and support in times of illness or injury, and is remembered as a model of service and compassion for all those who care for the sick.

Reflection on the feast day of St. John of God

The feast day of St. John of God is on March 8th.

On the feast day of St. John of God, we celebrate the life and legacy of one of the great saints of the Church. St. John of God was a Portuguese-born Catholic lay brother and philanthropist who founded the Brothers Hospitallers, a religious institute dedicated to the care of the sick, the poor and the elderly. He is considered the patron saint of the sick, hospitals and the health care workers.

St. John of God’s life is a testament to the power of compassion and love. He devoted his life to serving the poor and the sick, and he did so with great humility and selflessness. He understood that true charity is not just about giving money or goods, but about giving of oneself. He taught that true charity is about being present to those in need, about listening to them, and about serving them with love and compassion.

St. John of God’s legacy teaches us the importance of serving others. He reminds us that true happiness is found in giving, not in receiving. He shows us that the greatest way to honor God is by serving our fellow human beings, especially those who are in need. He inspires us to see the face of Christ in the poor and the sick, and to respond to their needs with love and compassion.

In today’s world, where the culture of individualism and self-centeredness is prevalent, St. John of God’s example reminds us of the importance of selflessness and compassion. He teaches us that true fulfillment and happiness come from serving others and making a positive impact on the world. He inspires us to put others before ourselves and to give of ourselves for the sake of others.

In conclusion, as we celebrate the feast day of St. John of God, let us remember the example of this great saint and his dedication to serving the poor and the sick. May we strive to follow his example, to see the face of Christ in others, and to deepen our relationship with God through humility, service, and compassion.

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