Saint of the Day: St. John of God

Founder of the Hospitaller Brothers (1495-1550)

His life

+ John was born in 1495 and spent his early years working as a shepherd.

+ In 1522, he enlisted as a soldier, losing the piety of his youth during his years of service. After he was released from the military he resolved to change his life and began to devote himself to God’s service.

+ John eventually settled in Granada and his conversion was enriched by the preaching of Saint John of Avila.

+ In 1540, John, who came to be known as Juan de Dios by the poor whom he loved so much, rented a house in which he might care for the sick. This mission laid the foundations for a new community: the Order of Hospitaller Brothers.

+ After ten years of labor, John graciously accepted failing health, offering an inspiring witness to all who knew him.

+ Saint John of God died on March 8, 1550, as he knelt in prayer before the altar. Canonized in 1690, he is honored as the patron saint of the sick and of those with heart disease.

For prayer and reflection

“Whenever I see so many poor brothers and neighbors of mine suffering beyond their strength and overwhelmed with so many physical or mental ills which I cannot alleviate, then I become exceedingly sorrowful; but I trust in Christ, who knows my heart.”—Saint John of God

Religious Life

To learn more about the life and ministries of the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God, visit: https://www.sjog-na.org/

Spiritual bonus

On March 8, we also remember Blessed Ioachim Kuroemon. A lay catechists in the diocese of Hiroshima, Japan, he was martyred on March 8, 1624, and was beatified with other Japanese martyrs in 2008.

Prayer

O God, who filled Saint John of God
with a spirit of compassion,
grant, we pray,
that, giving ourselves to works of charity,
we may merit to be found among the elect in your Kingdom.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.