John of God 1495-1550 [8th March]
Founder of the Brothers Hospitallers

John was born a Monte Mor in Portugal. He joined an army of mercenaries belonging to a count from Castile in 1552 and fought for Spain in Hungary against the French and the Turks. He gave up all practice of religion when he was in the army and, when disbanded, he went to Andalusia and worked as a shepherd.

Around the age of 40, he was converted to a life of dedication to God and service to the poor, being drawn to the plight of the Christian slaves in Africa, a dangerous situation for anyone who went to their aid. He was strongly advised not to become involved and instead he worked as a pedlar in the Gibraltar area and was a successful seller of sacred books and pictures.

John then suffered a period of madness, wandering aimlessly through the streets and giving away his stock of books. At this time John of Avila was in the area on a preaching tour and he calmed his namesake and persuaded him to devote his life to caring for the poor and sick. So when John left hospital in 1539, he rented a house in Granada and turned it into a centre for the care of sick and poor. The local people were amazed at his proficiency and the bishop was so impressed by his devotion that he gave John a religious habit. For ten years he worked ceaselessly for the well being of his patients, but at the same time he didn t neglect his religious devotions.

At the early age of 55 he died from illness brought on by his rescue of a drowning man in a flood. After his death, his followers took vows and became a religious order, with John named as their founder.