Born in Spain in 1495, Saint John of God is known even today for his impulsiveness. When he was 8 years old, he heard a priest speak of missionary work in the New World, so he ran away from home and went with the priest. Together, they went begging from village to village to collect money for travel to America, until Saint John of God got sick. He was nursed back to health by a man who gave him a job as a shepherd. He worked as a shepherd until he was 27.
Later, he decided to go to Africa to ransom slaves. While he was waiting on the docks for his ship, he found a noble family that was being exiled to Africa for a punishment. Instantly, Saint John of God volunteered to be their servant. In Africa, the family got very ill. Saint John of God had to get a job to feed them. He discovered that the Catholics in Africa were beating and mistreating their workers, so he decided to return to Spain.
Back in Spain, Saint John of God found great joy in reading spiritual books. Immediately, he decided to sell books. At first he sold them from a cart, but soon he had a little shop.
Then, Saint John of God decided to give away his books and open a hospital for the poor. He had to beg for money to rent the building. He begged for bed and blankets, food and firewood. But he cared for many poor and dying people.
One winter, Saint John of God heard that a lot of driftwood was in the river, so he went to collect it. A boy fell in the freezing river, and Saint John of God jumped in to try to save him. Saint John of God became very ill from being in the frigid water and died.
Saint John of God is the patron saint of booksellers, printers, firefighters, heart patients, the sick, hospitals, and nurses. He is also the founder of the Brothers Hospitallers. Let us ask Saint John of God to help us to act immediately whenever God prompts us to do His will. We can follow Saint John of God’s example by helping others right away.