Biography

Springing from the Christian values and holistic approach advocated and practised by its founder, the Hospitaller Order of St John of God is dedicated to the provision of social, education, welfare and health services. It has a mission to ensure that persons availing of its services receive the highest quality care, education, training, treatment or assistance in accordance with their needs.

In 1537, John Cuidad (later known as St John of God), was a little-known bookseller in the city of Granada, Spain. He was struggling to put his life back together again after spending a period as a patient in the psychiatric wing of the Royal Hospital.

He was homeless and disillusioned, yet he felt a strong attraction to improve the situation of the many men, women and children, who like himself, were homeless and marginalised from the mainstream of society.

John was fortunate that he had friends who respected him. One of these friends allowed John to shelter in the porchway of his house from the bitter cold of winter nights.

Sensitive to the suffering and pain of the many homeless people and travellers who sought shelter in doorways or wherever they could find it, John began to bring those who were sick and weak and those unable to cope, to share his accommodation in the porch of the house of his friend, Don Miguel Venegas. The Venegas family motto is engraved above the doorway of the porch to this day: “Let the Heart Command”. This was the stark and simple, yet profoundly beautiful beginning of the work which today still bears his name.

The man, John, huddling with his cold, hungry and weary companions in one corner of the porchway of Venegas’ house had no idea of movement he was founding. St John of God Services has continued to strive to carry this love, care and compassion to people down the centuries.

Hospitality is the name given to the great gift of care and welcome which John gave to the poor, the homeless, the sick and the dying and many others in the city of Granada over 460 years ago.

After his death in 1550, a group of his closest companions continued the work he had begun.

The philosophy of the services of the Hospitaller Order of St John of God is that people are the creation of God, with intrinsic value and inherent dignity. This philosophy is based on the beliefs and values of the Order’s founder, St John of God.

The rights of the person who is sick, aged or disabled must be upheld and defended. Each person has the right to be involved in their own care and/or treatment, and to be kept informed of matters concerning them at all times. The Order respects the freedom of conscience of every person and acts without racial, social, financial or religious discrimination. The Order seeks to form partnerships with others in promoting the best quality of life for those whom it serves.