It was here that he met St. John of Avila whose preaching had a profound effect on him, and resulted in a dramatic conversion experience. This experience made him realise the depth of God’s love for him and how little he had done to love God in return. This realisation caused him to have what we might term nowadays a ‘nervous breakdown’. 

He ran through the streets calling on God to have mercy on him and tearing his clothes. Many people considered him insane and some people who knew him took him to the Royal Hospital in Granada. This hospital housed the mentally ill and the treatment meted out to them at that time was cruel and harsh.

When John came to his senses he was determined that he would help those whose sufferings and terrible treatment he had witnessed in the Royal Hospital. Before he was discharged he begged the hospital staff to treat the patients with humanity and compassion.

He was very innovative in his treatment of the sick being one of the first to ensure that each sick person had a separate bed and going around washing and tending the patients himself.

News of John’s work spread far and wide.  Throughout Spain he became known as “John of God, father of the poor”.  Gradually he began to attract others who wanted to help him look after those in need.  Following his death on the 8^th March 1550, the small group of followers he had gathered carried on his work and from this group emerged the religious order that is known as the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God.

Today the work which John began in a small porch in Granada continues in 53 countries in the world and covers a wide range of care for those with physical and learning disabilities, the homeless and poor, those with mental health problems and the elderly.