For Gift Giving
Information call
the Executive Director
of Development at
(856) 845-7030
or email
devctr@stjohnofgod.org
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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, where he was placed after
experiencing a religious conversion so dramatic that many
people though he was insane.
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| 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 marginalized from the mainstream of society. John was fortunate that he had friends who respected him. One of these friends allowed John to shelter from the bitter cold of winter nights in the porchway of his house. |
| Sensitive to the suffering and pain of the many homeless people and travellers who sought shelter in doorways of where they could find it, John began to bring those who were sick and weak and those unable to cope, to share his accommodations in the porch of the house of his friend, Venegas. This was the stark and simple, yet profoundly beautiful beginning of the work that 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 the 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.
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| The modest porch of the home of the Venegas family was the first place where John gave shelter to the poor and rejected. |
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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.
Care - Compassion - Respect
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