St. John of God, born in 1495 in Portugal, was a religious brother and founder of the Brothers Hospitallers, a religious order dedicated to caring for the poor and sick. After a life of early struggles, including a period of military service and working as a shepherd, John underwent a profound spiritual conversion. He committed his life to helping the most marginalized, founding hospitals and providing care to the sick, orphans, and the poor. Known for his compassion and generosity, St. John of God was canonized in 1690. His feast day, celebrated on March 8th, honours his dedication to charitable service and healing.
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has decreed that this is a Holy Day of Memorial (Optional) to be observed in Canada.