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 8th---is his feast day Robert P. Wallman 3-8-12 ps misc. WITNESS 3-8-14