08 March — Briefly, the story of John of God began when he left home at the age of only eight. Born in Portugal, his real name is João Cidade.

When he left the parental home, he wandered around for 33 years. His parents, though poor, were good Christians. In his wandering, John of God took the road to Madrid, getting lost along the way, followed some shepherds and later joined the army of Charles V. It was during this period that he learned of his mother's death and finally turned to God. Since then he devoted his days to prayer and mortification, and he also helped the poor. These events took place on his 45th birthday.

He settled in Granada and ran a small business whose products were used to found a hospital to care for the poor. To feed his patients, he carried a sack on his back every day, went around the villages and begged for food. Many people came to his aid, and he recovered totally under the grace of God who never left him unprepared. His followers multiplied and he founded the congregation of the Brothers Hospitallers which spread rapidly throughout Europe.

One day, the Blessed Mother of God, holding a crown of thorns in her hand, appeared to John of God and said to him: "John, by the thorns you will win the crown of heaven". He replied, "I will no longer pick flowers other than the thorns of the Cross. These thorns will be my roses". Another day, while nursing a poor man, he disappeared and said to him: "Whatever you do to these poor people, you do to me". John of God died in 1550, and today he is one of the holy intercessors for the sick.