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

 

and 3-8-2019 and 3-08-2021 sites