Saint John of God Brothers

St John of God Feast Day – Greetings from the Provincial!

Feast of Saint John of God
March 8th 2022

My dear Members of the Family of Saint John of God, friends and supporters of our
mission of hospitality,I send you a greeting of peace, hope and joy on this special occasion.
To be honest it is hard to even think of joy at this time when our world is once again
turned upside down by the atrocities that are being inflicted on our brothers and sisters
in Ukraine by their Russian neighbours. Just when we thought we were putting a very
difficult and challenging period in our history behind us with the Covid-19 Pandemic, we
are now faced with the worst humanitarian crises in almost a century. The bravery of the
Ukraine people, however, demonstrates the nature of the human spirit while at the same
time what the Russians are doing is an aberration, a betrayal and totally at variance with
the nature of human beings as children of a loving, compassionate and caring God.
Throughout history the Brothers of Saint John of God have found themselves, very often,
in the midst of conflict and today is no different as we are informed that four Saint John
of God Brothers and fellow co-workers are caring for the sick and wounded in Drohobycz
in the Western part of Ukraine. For now they are safe and continue to work in their
outreach clinics helping the many refugees pass safely on their way to Poland. Our Polish
Province is also welcoming and offering hospitality to the tens of thousands of refugees
pouring into Poland each day.
We should not allow the appalling actions of another extinguish the hope that is in our
hearts. (1 Peter 3:15). For the followers of Saint John of God this is a time to recommit
ourselves to the Hospitality Movement initiated by John of God 500 years ago. Hospitality
in the manner of Saint John of God is the antithesis of what is happening in Ukraine and
many other parts of the world. Where the Hospitality Movement is lived and experienced
the guest is greeted with the simple, but profound words ‘come in, you are very welcome,
how can we be of help’. In these challenging times it is also true to say that we are also
inspired by the strength, humanity and hospitality of the people that we work alongside.
Across our services in the UK, Ireland and Malawi the special gift of Hospitality in the
manner of Saint John of God that we have received is making a huge difference in the
lives of people in need and their families. In this way we help to transform society from
within wherever we have a presence. Our Hospitaller Family is like our logo, the
pomegranate, a symbol of Hospitality and Christian Charity. It is open, nurturing,
fruitful, embracing, pluralistic, ecumenical and inclusive in membership and open to
receive all without discrimination of any kind who stand in need of our services.
On this special day, Feast of our Founder Saint John of God, we recall the man who
inspires and motivates us – one might call John our Polar Star. Let us re-commit
ourselves to being the best we can be. In this way we will be a light of hope, comfort and
healing to a world where the light of hope, freedom and peace is increasingly growing
dim. As long as there are people who care for and love their neighbour as themselves,
(Mark 12:31) then hope will never die.
Have a blessed and enjoyable Feast Day and may Saint John of God accompany and
intercede for us all. Gratefully yours and united in Hospitality.

Brother Donatus Forkan OH
Provincial

 

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