St John of God

St John of God was born in Portugal on 8 March 1495. He served in the army in Spain under Emperor Charles V before becoming a friar and dedicating the remainder of his life to the poor and sick.

He founded a hospital in Grenada and is probably best known as founder of the Order of Hospitallers aka Brothers Hospitallers of St John of God.

St John of God died on his 55th birthday on 8 March 1550 and was canonised by Pope Alexander VIII in 1690. He is the patron saint of hospitals, the sick, nurses, fire fighters, alcoholics and booksellers.