Of Portuguese origin, St. John of God was first a shepherd, a dealer and then a soldier. At the age of forty he was converted, and devoted himself to the care of those sick in mind, showing himself in this thankless task, a real innovator and at the same time a saint of superhuman heroism. He founded the Order of the Brothers Hospitalers, which bears his name. His death took place at Granada in 1550. Leo XIII declared him Patron of hospitalers and of the sick and commanded his name to be placed in the Litanies of the dying.