My dear Brothers and Friends
It is that time of year again when we celebrate the Feast of our Founder, inspiration and guide – SAINT JOHN OF GOD. This gives us an opportunity to reflect on what we do in the name of and in the spirit of John of God. Briefly, as we know, John lived many roles in his life, a shepherd, soldier, labourer, bookseller, a homeless, a marginalised and stigmatised person. After all of that, he became a Good Samaritan type figure in the city of Granada, Spain. A fascinating story! how did it come about; you might ask. While a patient in the Royal Hospital, Granada, seeing, and personally experiencing, the cruel inhuman way that people who had a mental illness were being treated, John decided that he would do something about it. He wasn’t sure what or how he would do this, so he prayed to God asking that on release from the hospital, he would get a place of his own where the abandoned mentally ill, the sick and the poor could come, and he
would serve them as he wished. It was in this most unlikely of places, that God answered John’s prayer, by giving him a special Gift or Charism – Hospitality. Having received the Gift of Hospitality John’s response gave birth to a Hospitality Movement. This is how the Gift of Hospitality affected John. Even in the midst of his own suffering, John began to see the world differently; he began to see people differently, he began to see people with the eyes of the heart. With the permission of the wardens, John began to reach out, tentatively at
first, to his fellow inmates. He helped to wash and dress their wounds, feeding the weak ones and lovingly accompanying the dying.
The Hospitality Movement initiated in a dungeon of the Royal Hospital, has lasted almost 500 years and is still as relevant and needed today as it was all those years ago in Granada. When God acts or intervenes in history or in the life of the individual, it’s always a
message of hope. This was the case with the Prophet Jeremiah, often referred to as the weeping prophet, his legacy is one of hope. So, it was with John Ciudad the Charism of Hospitality that God has given to the Church and society through the humble John Ciudad, is one of hope. Interestingly, Pope Francis, has declared 2025 the “Jubilee Year of Hope”, and he invites Catholics and women and men of good will across the world, to experience hope by reconnecting with God, a call to forgiveness, healing and service. The name “John of God” embodies a rich tapestry of history, meaning, and cultural significance. The Order of Saint John of God maintains a presence in 55 countries in all 5 Continents, operating more than 500 hospitals, services, and centres serving a range of medical and social needs in addition to mental health and psychiatry. The Family of Saint John of God, as those who commit to his vision are called, is made up
of more than 70,000 members, Volunteers, Brothers and Co-workers, and supported by tens of thousands of benefactors and friends who identify with and support the work of the Order for sick and needy people throughout the world. While on March 8th we recall with affection, admiration and gratitude the figure of the man John of God, it is also a day to acknowledge and express gratitude to all who
continue to keep the vison and dream of John alive. Hospitality in the manner of Saint John of God is a sign of hope at a time when there is so much anxiety, pessimism and fear all around us. I like Saint Peter’s advice, “be ready always to give an answer to anyone who may ask for the reason for the hope that is in you but do so with humility and gentleness”.
In conclusion, studies have shown that optimism lengthens life. But that’s not all, optimism has also been linked to good physical and mental health, as well as success. Well, then it’s no surprise that it’s a personality trait that makes one resilient in the face of adversity!
Finally, Saint John of God is Patron Saint of the sick, hospitals, medical and nursing associations, let us ask John to intercede for all who are sick, those known to us, especially our Holy Father Pope Francis, and thank you. United with you all in gratitude for Saint John of God, for the Gift of Hospitality we have received through John, and the privilege and responsibility it confers on each one of us.
Brother Donatus Forkan OH
Provincial