St. John of God
St. John of God
When They Lived:
St. John of God, also known as Juan Ciudad, lived during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. He was born on March 8, 1495, in Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal, and passed away on March 8, 1550, in Granada, Spain.
Where They Lived:
St. John of God spent a significant part of his life in Granada, Spain. It was in this city that he carried out his charitable works and founded the Order of Hospitallers, also known as the Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God.
Notable World Events During Their Time:
- 1492 – Columbus’ Voyage to the Americas: In the same year St. John of God was born, Christopher Columbus made his first voyage to the Americas, marking the beginning of European exploration and colonization of the New World.
- 1517 – Martin Luther’s 95 Theses: This event ignited the Protestant Reformation, leading to significant changes in the religious landscape of Europe and beyond.
- 1543 – Copernicus’ Heliocentric Model: Nicolaus Copernicus published his groundbreaking work “De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium,” introducing the heliocentric model of the solar system, challenging the geocentric views of the time.
- 1520s-1530s – Renaissance and Humanism: The Renaissance was in full swing during St. John of God’s life, fostering advancements in art, science, and philosophy. Humanism, a cultural movement that emphasized human potential and achievement, also gained momentum.
- 1519-1522 – Magellan’s Circumnavigation: Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition became the first known successful circumnavigation of the Earth, expanding global geographical knowledge.
- 1533 – Pizarro Conquers the Inca Empire: Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro’s capture of the Inca emperor marked a significant chapter in the conquest of South America.
Their Patronage:
St. John of God is recognized as the patron saint of a wide range of people and professions, including hospitals, nurses, firefighters, and the sick. His life’s work was centered around caring for the sick and marginalized, and his selfless dedication has made him a symbol of compassion and service. His patronage extends not only to those in the medical field but also to individuals in various vocations that involve aiding those in need.
St. John of God’s legacy of establishing hospitals and caring for the less fortunate continues to inspire people worldwide. His life story reminds us of the importance of extending a helping hand to those who are suffering, regardless of their background or circumstances. In an era marked by significant global events, his emphasis on humanitarianism and kindness remains a timeless and relevant example for people of all walks of life.
The Rise of St. John of God
Born on March 8, 1495, in the Evora District in Portugal, he was named Joao Duarte Cidade. Saint John of God was from a family with great religious faith, and when he was 8 years old, he went missing, and his mother died from the grief caused by his disappearance. His father joined a Catholic order, and this resulted in him being a homeless orphan in Spain until he was taken in as a shepherd by a farmer named Francisco Mayoral.
Pleased with Saint John’s performance, the farmer persuaded him to marry his daughter so that he could be his heir, but Saint John was not up for the idea, and he ended up joining the company of foot soldiers as a means of escaping the farmer. While serving as a foot soldier, he was appointed to guard an enormous loot, and he ended up being condemned to death as he was the main suspect in the loot. It was a narrow escape for him when he was pardoned, and he ended up returning to farm life and doing pastoral farming for the next four years.
Still unmarried, he joined the troops to fight in Hungary against the Turks, and he was a trooper for the next eighteen years, serving in different parts of Europe. He finally decided to return to his hometown and his family, as he had been gone for so long that he had forgotten his parents’ names. However, he realized that he did not have any ties with the region after learning about what happened to his parents.
He returned to Spain and continued with his pastoral work until he was no longer satisfied with his occupation and decided to move to Africa, where he could work to free Christians who were enslaved there.
5 Interesting Facts About St. John of God
- St. John of God is believed to have had a heavenly guest who visited.
him during the early days of his charity work. - He exchanged his cloak with any beggar he met.
- His order has been officially entrusted with the medical care of
the pope. - His order is present in 53 countries and operates in more than 300
hospitals and has more than 45,000 members. - The Brothers Hospitallers were formed 20 years after his death.
Prayer to St. John of God
St. John of God, patron of the sick and compassionate brother to all who suffer or are troubled in any way,I turn to you with great confidence in my time of need. I ask you, John, to speak to Jesus on my behalf. He will listen to you because you tried to be like Him in the compassion and love you had for people in need. I know only Jesus can really help me, but I also know that He can be influenced by someone close to Him. I plead with you, Brother John, to present this special intention of mine to Jesus so that He may grant it according to His will ……(mention the intention).Help me, John, to strengthen my faith, my hope, and my love for Jesus and our Mother Mary, for whom you had such a special love. All glory to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen
