The Jubilee of the World of Volunteerism is scheduled for March 8 and 9, and, not coincidentally, March 8 also commemorates Saint John of God: rightly, the Church links the Jubilee celebration of Volunteerism to this figure, because John of God, from whom the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God originated, was, we might say, a precursor of volunteerism and certainly embodied its spirit in the way he reached out to others, the poor, and the sick.
A value for others and for oneself
As a meaningful aphorism puts it: βYou cannot say that you have truly lived if you have never done something for someone who could never repay you.β
Volunteering is a powerful and generous act that profoundly affects the lives of those who take part in it and the communities it serves.
On a personal level, it offers a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction; on a social level, it provides the opportunity to meet other people and build new relationships centered on service and action: when people decide to volunteer, they donate time and resources to support important causes and initiatives that can help improve the quality of life of community members.
Volunteering is a way of life renewed every day and one that, by doing good for others, first does good for ourselves.
βDo good, brothers, to yourselvesβ
Saint John of God understood this very well: he was a timeless example of volunteerism and dedication to others. His story is a beacon that lights the way for anyone who wants to do good.
After leading a wandering life and serving as a soldier of fortune, John of God - born in Portugal on March 8, 1495 - radically changed his life after hearing a sermon by Blessed John of Γvila: he abandoned everything, even gave up his shoes and clothing, and went begging through the streets of Granada, addressing passersby with the phrase that would become the emblem of a new institution: βDo good, brothers, to yourselvesβ. In fact, the charity people gave him was distributed among those most in need.
The inhabitants of Granada, however, considering his behavior very strange, had him confined to an asylum: there, John realized that mental illnesses were being treated with methods worthy of a torturer. So, as soon as he could, he founded his own hospital. Although he had no medical training, he proved more capable than the doctors themselves. Care of the spirit was the prerequisite for effective care of the body. John of God founded a large religious family, the order of the Hospitaller Brothers, better known as the Fatebenefratelli.
To learn more about the life of Saint John of God and entrust yourself to him in prayer, Shalom recommends two books in a practical and very affordable format: The Saints of the Missal. John of GodΒ and Let Us Pray to the Saints. John of God. In just a few pages... a true treasure!
The legacy of Saint John of God
The figure of Saint John of God embodies the fundamental values of volunteering:
- Altruism: giving one's time and talent to the community.
- Compassion: putting empathy for others into practice.
- Solidarity: coming together to make a difference in the lives of others.
- Commitment: people volunteer with the deep conviction that the world can be improved, one step at a time.
- Love: volunteering is a unique way to live out and put charity toward others into practice.
The story of Saint John of God invites us to rediscover the value of volunteering as a way to build a fairer and more fraternal world: everyone can make a difference by offering their time, skills, and love to those in need.
Are you a volunteer? What has this experience given you? Are you thinking about joining a volunteer organization? If you like, share your doubts and convictions with us.
