John was born in Portugal but spent most of his life in Spain. Nothing in his early life indicated the direction his life was eventually going to take. He decided to dedicate his life to God but he didn’t go the stright forward route.

He became a travelling seller of religious books and images. He decided that the route of suffering was the best way to get close to God but he took it to the extreme. John of Avila heard of his plight, came to visit him and told him firmly that he had more than enough suffering done.

He went on pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe where he had a vision of Mary holding out clothing, to clothe the child Jesus. He understood this to look after the sick and needy. In Granada he took on an empty house, acquired 46 beds and matresses and in no time was running a highly efficent hospital. He introduced standards of hygiene virtually unknown in his day. But he was even more concerned with the spiritual needs of his patients. The people in Granada knew that he could not be on the streets begging for the hospital and so they helped him to raise funds for his hospital.

His work was regcognised throughout Spain. After his death the brothers of St.John of God were formed and are active today across the world. He was canonized in 1690 and is the patron saint of hospitals and the sick. He is also the patron saint of booksellers.

Today is his feast day and we ask his blessings on us. Amen