News - Prelature of Ayaviri - Big Celebration of St. John of God in Ayaviri

Ayaviri, March 10, 2007 - As is custom, the capital of the province of Melgar, Ayaviri, has celebrated the great apostle to the sick, St. John of God. The feast began with the traditional entry of candles on Blessing Day - as it is called locally - where dozens of dovotees prayed Vespers in honor of their patron. Some of the town representatives gave a beautiful testimony of faith, having been baptized, confirmed and married and also having received the Eucharist for the first time.

During the Vespers and throughout the Feast Day, after the Eucharist, the image of Saint John of God was carried through the streets of Ayaviri in the company of a large number of faithful.The Bishop of Ayaviri, Kay Martín Schmalhausen, celebrated Mass at the hospital named after the saint, which was assisted by the medical and services personnel and some of the hospital's patients.

Saint John of God, after having been kidnapped as a child, became a shepherd and then soldier, and after suffering mistreatment in a hospital, discovered that the Lord was calling him to attend to the sick with much dedication and care. He founded an Order called the Brothers Hospitaliers, better known as the Brothers of Saint John of God, who have tended to the sick in Peru for centuries. His feast is celebrated on March 8, the day he died and was born to eternal life.