Saint John Of God - March 8

Saint John Of God

March 8

Patron of Book Sellers, Hospitals,
and those with Heart Disease

"Love Covers a Multitude of Sins." (1 Peter 4:8)

Saint John of God was born in Portugal in 1495. He was a shepherd, soldier, laborer, and a bookseller. After hearing a sermon given by John of Avila on sin and repentance he made a complete conversion from his former ways which shocked his friends so much that they had him committed to a hospital for the insane. Upon his release he rented a home and brought the homeless, troubled and sick there to live with him, taking care of each one by himself.

Saint John of God died in 1550 but he had sowed the seeds for the Order of Hospitallers, which was approved by St. Pius V in 1572. This order and Saint John of God's spirit of hospitality continues to this day providing assistance to the sick, poor and needy in fifty-one countries.


 Saint John of God, help us to act out of love as soon as we feel the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Help us learn to fight the little voices in our heads and hearts that give us all sorts of practical reasons to wait or delay in our service of God. Amen

For items related to Saint John Of God please visit Lynn's Timeless Treasures