SAINT JOHN OF GOD

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 8^th---is his feast day


Robert P. Wallman
3-8-12





ps misc. WITNESS 3-8-14