Saint John of God

<p>John was born in Portugal on March 8, 1495. He worked variously as a soldier of fortune, an overseer of slaves, a shepherd, a crusader, a bodyguard, and a peddler. Wracked by guilt over his wasted life, he sought the counsel of John of Avila, a preacher and missionary, who helped him find a new purpose in life. John of God dedicated himself to the care of the sick and the poor. Others joined him and they became known as the Order of Brothers Hospitallers or Brothers of St John of God. John died on his birthday in 1550 and was canonized in 1690. He is a patron of hospitals and the sick.<br /><em><br />©2011 <em>Living with Christ, </em>Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., <strong>http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/</strong&gt;. Reprinted with permission.</em></p>