There are many “Johns” who are saints,beginning with those found in Scripture itself: Saint John the Baptist, Saint John the Evangelist, Saint John of the Cross, Saint John Fisher, etc. The name John has also been taken by many popes.
This particular Saint, born Joao Cidade of Portugal, has the title “of God.” It is a simple and direct title. The word “God” conveys everything under God and everything that is God. All saints are “of God,” of course, but the plain title “of God” fits the personality, outlook, education, and simplicity of him very well.
João Cidade did not have the advantage of an excellent education. But what his mind lacked his heart supplied. He left his Portuguese home as a child in the care of a priest and went to neighboring Spain. From there he lived an itinerant life as a farmer, shepherd, adventurer, and then a soldier. He travelled the length and breadth of Europe fighting in the service of kings and princes, mostly against Muslim Turks. After returning home he discovered his parents had passed and began to reflect upon his past sinful life and vowed to make a drastic change. He then decided to ransom his own freedom to North African Muslims in exchange for Christian hostages. Upon the advice of a Franciscan priest, the plan was aborted and he returned to southern Spain.
At this, the lowest point of his aimless life, John had a breakthrough, or perhaps a breakdown. He was selling religious books from town to town when he heard John of Ávila preach and upon receiving his advice in spiritual direction, the wandering John stopped in his tracks. He fasted, he prayed, and he went on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Extremadura, Spain. So total was his repentance for his past sins that he began behaving so excitedly in public with displays of self punishment that he was placed for a time in a hospital for the mentally ill. But his repentance was real. He changed forever and started caring for those that were like the kind of person that he used to be.
People were so impressed with his charity that they gave John alms, food and supplies and he was able to start a small hospital. He began to care for the sick, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, convert the sinner, and shelter the homeless and orphans. He had no equal in giving of himself to his patients, and his reputation for holiness spread across Spain. He gave away his cloaks so often that his Bishop had a habit made, ordered John to put it on, and told him not to give it away. John’s total dedication to the poor and sick drew many followers. They emulated his generosity, and soon an order was born. The group was eventually approved by the Holy See in 1572 under the title The Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God. The Order spread quickly throughout the world, often with the support of the Spanish Crown. Its work on behalf of the poor continues today in numerous countries through hundreds of institutions.
He cared little for his own physical health and died on his fifty-fifth birthday while kneeling in prayer before an altar in his room.
He is the patron saint of hospitals and the dying.
His feast day is March 8.
For God’s Glory.
