John of God, Religious

John, born in Portugal, was a soldier in the wars between Spain and France as well as in the war against the Turks in Hungary. Later he was a shepherd in Seville and also served as an overseer of slaves in Morocco. During the early years of his life, John had given up the Christian faith. But, when he was about forty years of age, John decided to atone for his immoral life by going to work for the church in Africa. He devoted himself to helping the sick and the poor. A religious order was founded to follow him and imitate his good works.

God never gives up on anyone, but loves all of us equally as his children. Like many of our own children, it took John a little longer to determine what it was that God was asking him to do with his life. Nevertheless, once he had chosen the right course, John launched into it with fervor.