John was born at Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal in 1495. He worked at many jobs including being a shepherd, soldier and bookseller. Encouraged by St John of Avila, he experienced a conversion of heart aged forty-two and started serving the sick in Granada, Spain. For this purpose, he founded the Brothers Hospitallers (Brothers of St John of God) and is venerated as patron of the sick and of hospitals, and also of booksellers. He died in Granada in 1550. – CTS New Daily Roman Missal 2012, p 2590; Christian Prayer, p 1091.
