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 Saint John of God Scott 994 (1995) March 8 marks the Feast Day of Saint John of God. The stamp aboved, issued in 1995 as part of a three-stamp set also honoring Saint Anthony of Padua and Saint Philip Neri, celebrates the 500th anniversary of his birth in Portugal in 1495. After a period of military service on behalf of Castile, he retired to Andalusia to work as a shepherd. At approximately age 40, he was converted to a life of service to God. After a few turbulent years, he established a hospital for the care of the sick, including those suffering from mental illness, as well as the poor in Granada, and went on to found the order known as the Brothers Hospitallers. John was a person of devotion and energetic service on behalf of those he served. He became ill after rescuing a drowning man in a flood and subsequently died in 1550. Following his death, his co-workers drew up rules to continue his work, taking vows to form a religious order, with John of God enshrined as its founder. Saint John of God was canonized in 1690 and is considered a major Spanish religious figure. References: |
