Saint John of God

Item Number: P89

Size: 9 1/4" (23.5cm)
(Ansis, Evan, Giannes, Giovanni, Hans, Hannu, Ioannis, Ivan, Iwan, Ivashka, Jan, Janeczek, Jankielek, Janko, Janos, Jean, Jonas, Jovan, Johann, Johannes, Joannes, Juhani, Juan, Juanitocho, Vanechka, Vanya, Xuan, Yochanan, Zana) [1495-1550]. He was born in Portugal. After following various vocations, he was led to a more perfect way of life by a sermon of Bl. John of Avila. But the fervour of his conversion produced such extravagant behavior that he was taken for a madman. Finally in 1550 he founded a hospital where he tended the sick. There was the beginning of a new order, the Brothers Hospitallers (Brothers of St. John of God). He is the patron of printers, fire fighters, booksellers, patients, the sick and of hospitals and hospital workers. His feast is March 8.