Commemoration of St. John of God, 1495-1550; abandoned the faith until age 40, then went to Africa hoping to free captive Christians; returned to Spain, and ran a religious goods store; moved by a sermon of St. John of Avila, he publicly beat himself, begging mercy and repenting--for which he was committed to a mental hospital; St. John of Avila advised him to tend to the needs of others; he established a house to tend to the sick poor. his helpers, 20 years after his death, formed the Brothers Hospitallers
Commemoration of St. John of God, 1495-1550; abandoned the faith until age 40, then went to Africa hoping to free captive Christians; returned to Spain, and ran a religious goods store; moved by a sermon of St. John of Avila, he publicly beat himself, begging mercy and repenting--for which he was committed to a mental hospital; St. John of Avila advised him to tend to the needs of others; he established a house to tend to the sick poor. his helpers, 20 years after his death, formed the Brothers Hospitallers