St John of God Day

8 Mar 2021

John of God devoted his life to caring for people who were ignored by the rest of the community. He cared for the people that others walked past and saw himself as one of them, someone who had experienced mental illness, social isolation and separation from family, and someone who had no place to call home.

In caring for others, John of God embodied compassion, love and care for others. This is the example that we endeavour to follow each day. 

We care for patients and clients with compassion and seek to respond to the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in the community. Just as John did, we honour the dignity of the people we serve and treat them with respect as we welcome them into places of safety and care. 

We celebrate the legacy of care that St John of God shares with each of us on 8 March: the day that is both his birthday and the date on which he died. 

The 2021 theme for St John of God Day ‘Love is the light that shines in the darkness’ is a fresh take on hope and compassion. Taken from the scripture Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others”.  

Our caregivers carry the light and guide our patients and clients to emerge from the darkness. 

John’s mission was to serve people who needed love, care and compassion and our caregivers can look to his example today. At St John of God Health Care, we have a great opportunity to continue to bring warmth, love and light to the people for whom we care each day.