π Life Timeline
1495
Born in March 8, 1495 AD, Vidigueira, Portugal
1495
JOHN of GOD (St) Founder
1550
JOHN of GOD (St) Founder
1540
our that he was taken for a mad- man
1690
1 β ββDo good brethren
1886
d declared patron of the sick and of hospitals in 1886
1550
Died β March 8, 1550 AD, Granada, Spain
1690
Canonized β 1690 by Pope Alexander VIII
β Biography
JOHN of GOD (St) Founder.
R.M. March 8 1495-1550. Born at Montemoro Novo, diocese of Evora, in Portugal, John fol- lowed various vocations for the first forty years of his lifeβ shepherd, soldier, peddler, superintendent of slaves in Morocco, vendor of religious books in the district near Gibraltar, etc. He was led to a more perfect life by a sermon of Bl John of Avila, but the fervour of his con- version produced in him such extravagant behaviour that he was taken for a mad- man. Finally, in 1540, he settled at Granada and founded a hospital where he tended the sick. This was the beginning of the new Order of Brothers Hospitallers (Brothers of St John of God), which still - exists, chiefly in the Latin countries. In Italy indeed they are called the Fate- bene-Fratell1 β ββDo good brethren.β St John was canonized in 1690 and declared patron of the sick and of hospitals in 1886. Cf. Menzies β Holw. β Ait.
THE BOOK
JOHN of VALLUMBROSA (BI) C. O.S.B. Vall. A.C. March 10 d.c.1380. A Florentine monk of the Holy Trinity in his native city. As a result of poring over forb
π‘ Patronage
Patron of: Hospitals, the sick, nurses, the dying, and those seeking safe travel.
π¬ Words of the Saint
I carry a torch to guide the lost home.
π Key Facts
Born
March 8, 1495 AD, Vidigueira, Portugal
Died
March 8, 1550 AD, Granada, Spain
Feast Day
Mar 8
Canonized
1690 by Pope Alexander VIII
π Legacy
The Brothers of St. John of God operate over 100 hospitals worldwide. John's transformation from soldier to nurse is one of the most dramatic conversions in hagiography. He established the model of professional Christian nursing.