This is the story of John of God!

The Saints are the Sinners who Keep on Trying - Robert Louis Stevenson

This is the story of John of God!

Patron Saint of Hospitals and Booksellers;
Invoked against Heart Disease

John of God’s story took place long ago. In his early years John lived a wayward sort of life and traveled around the world. He was a Portuguese soldier who eventually settled down and sold religious icons and art. One day John went to church where he heard a sermon given by his friend John of Avila. He was very moved by the sermon and needed to seek aid in an asylum. His friend John of Avila stuck by him and recognized that John of God was possibly seeking atonement or forgiveness. He advised John of God to begin doing charitable works. John took to charity with a missionary type zeal and he helped many, even while suffering with a serious heart ailment. He set up a hostel for the poor and infirm and dedicated his life to helping others for over a decade. It is said that John of God’s motto was to “labor without stopping” and to “do all the good work you can while you still have the time,” which seem to be great words to live by today.

© 2002

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Each SfS medal is imported from Italy,
painted by hand in
New Orleans, Louisiana,
and is a one-of-a-kind original.