Friday, March 8, 2013








SAINT JOHN OF GOD---patron Saint of the sick-hospitals
                                           And of book sellers and printers
                                           1495-1550





Saint John of God
Was born in Portugal
And was founder of the Brothers Hospitallers

He joined the mercenaries
And fought for Spain
Against the French and Turks in Hungary

When he was in the army
He gave up ALL practice of religion
After the disbandment of his troop
He worked as a Shepherd

At the age of 40
He rededicated himself to God
And helping the poor

He suffered a period of “madness”
Running through the streets
Tearing out his hair
And giving away his Sacred books
From the bookstore where he sold them

His friends---most notably John of Avila
Calmed him down
And he rededicated himself
To the sick and the poor

He rented a house---
Filled it with sick poor people
And for over 10 years
Devoted himself to taking care of his patients

He had never-ending energy
But this was balanced by prayer

His final illness
Was brought on
When he saved a man from drowning
In a flood

He died at the age of 55
Before the altar at his hospital chapel

Today---he is known as the PATRON SAINT
Of the SICK---of HOSPITALS---and booksellers and printers

Today---March 8th---is his feast day

Robert P. Wallman
3-8-12

No comments:

Post a Comment