BUNBURY CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL PARISH

The St. John of God Story

Today is the feast of St John of God. It is not celebrated liturgically today because Sunday always takes precedence. It has been an important feast because we remember the Sisters of St John of God, and the hospital they began in Bunbury.

The actual St John of God was born in 1495 in Portugal. He spent most of his life in Spain and eventually settled in the city of Granada in the south of Spain.

He had a dramatic conversion experience that made him realise the depth of God's love for him. He needed help and was taken to the Royal Hospital in Granada. As a result of the care he was given, John was determined that he would help others who were suffering.

John began in a small way, looking out for those who were sick, poor or in any kind of need. He went on to set up shelters and eventually a hospital. He worked with a religious order who also looked after the sick, and there he received training in medicine and in nursing skills. News of John's work spread and he began to attract others who wanted to help him look after those in need. John died on 8th March 1550 aged 55.

St John of God was chosen by Bishop Furlong in Ireland as the patron when he set up the Congregation in 1871 to care for the sick and vulnerable – a powerful example of one person’s practical expression of compassionate love. (Sr. Christine Clarke PBVM)