The life of Saint John of God in Granada

San Juan de Dios is one of the most outstanding personalities of the city of Granada during the 16th century, which led to his being named patron saint of the Fire Brigade, the Infirmary and the sick. For this reason, it is important to know how the life of Saint John of God developed in Granada.

Would you like to discover the most important facts about Saint John of God in Granada? Stay and read this post, we will show you everything you need to know below!
 

Arrival in Granada

Saint John of God was born in 1495 in Toledo and during his life he travelled to numerous cities and countries, including Santiago de Compostela, Portugal, Africa, Gibraltar and Ceuta. He did not arrive in Granada until 1538.

Although he had previously worked as a shepherd, servant or peddler, as well as being a member of the army, in Granada he decided to open a small bookshop near the Puerta de Elvira.

This trade allowed St. John of God to become involved in devotional, religious and Catholic literature, and he began to take an interest in religion.

Moment of conversion

The most influential event in the life of Saint John of God occurred when he attended an event at the hermitage of the Martyrs, opposite the Alhambra. Here he listened to a sermon given by John of Avila transmitting the word of God and, as a result, his conversion took place.

From that moment on, Saint John of God went through the streets of the city crying out for mercy, which led many people to consider him to be a madman. This led to his internment in one of the wings of the Royal Hospital for the care of the mentally ill.

During his stay he discovered how badly the patients were being treated and, when he was discharged, he decided to give his life in order to obtain rights and better care for the sick.

Performance and work

Saint John of God used what little resources he had to help the most disadvantaged and went out into the streets to beg for alms and food for the sick. Thus, after a time, he was able to rent a house which he converted into his first hospital.

He quickly became popular in Granada and the bishop even gave him the name of ‘San Juan de Dios’. His works began to multiply and the first disciples appeared, and he managed to provide greater hospital care for the whole city.

Thanks to his actions, he managed to create 5 hospital foundations and made many people aware of the need to contribute to his cause. He had to face various adversities, such as the fire in one of his hospitals, and the life of Saint John of God in Granada was totally focused on social and humanitarian work.
 

Death in Granada

In 1549 a young man went to the Genil river to collect logs of firewood to shelter him from the winter cold, but had the misfortune to fall in the middle of the current. San Juan de Dios, after witnessing the scene, rushed to help the adolescent and, as a result of this incident, he caught pneumonia, as well as increasing the pains of his arthritis.

All these ailments damaged the health of Saint John God, who died on 8 March 1550. Because of all the people who loved him, his burial resembled a solemn and silent procession.

For his good work, he was beatified by Pope Urban VIII in 1630 and Pope Alexander VIII canonised him in 1690. Pope Leo XIII named him patron saint of the sick in 1886 and Pius XII designated him co-patron saint of Granada in 1940. It is also worth mentioning that Pius V recognised his work as a Hospitaller Order in 1572.
 

Why take our route on Saint John of God?

As you have seen throughout this article on the life of Saint John of God in Granada, his work and his performance in helping the sick has led to the city commemorating this figure through the construction of a museum, a basilica, numerous commemorative squares, sculptural monuments and works of art, maintaining his memory and his transcendence.

If you would like more information about one of the most notable figures of Renaissance Granada, do not hesitate to book the route of San Juan de Dios through the official website of the Archdiocese of Granada.