Today we celebrate the Solemnity of St. John of God, founder of the Hospitaller Order. His legacy was an inspiration for St. Benedict Menni and is a beacon for all those who practice hospitality every day.
St. John of God was born in Portugal in 1495. Raised and educated in the Christian faith, in his adolescence he was a cattle herder.
On January 20, 1539, a momentous event in his life occurred when he heard St. John of Avila preach. His words led him to experience a crisis of faith so shocking that it provoked an erratic behavior full of screams and chaos. This event led to his hospitalization, where, considered a “madman”, St. John of God suffered in his own flesh the mistreatment given to the interned.
This event matured his purpose and, at the feet of the Virgin, he promised to give himself to the poor, the sick and all the disadvantaged of the world. St. John of God kept his word: he lived a life of complete dedication to those who needed him most, trying to rebuild their lives and helping them to integrate into society. His work grew and he opened hospitals in Granada and Cuesta de Gomérez. He was an innovator in the hospital care of his time. Many joined his vision, listening to the call of this Saint: “Brothers, do good to yourselves”.
Juan de Dios died in 1550 with a great reputation for holiness. He was beatified on September 21, 1630 by Urban VIII and canonized on October 16, 1690 by Alexander VIII.
From Sisters Hospitallers we celebrate the life of this man of deep spirituality, who with his proposal mobilized our founder St. Benedict Menni, who was a brother of St. John of God and had the task of restoring the extinct Hospitaller Order in Spain, Portugal and Mexico.
United in the Hospitaller charism, we ask for his intercession so that, following his example, as St. Benedict Menni did, we may welcome, care for and love the most vulnerable.
Thank you St. John of God!
