![[Saint John Grande]](saintj0k.gif "40kb gif painting of Saint John, artist unknown; if you have information about this image, please email me")
John the Great Sinner Juan Grande Pecador Juan Grande Román Juan Grande Juan Pecador
Worked in prisons and hospitals in Jerez de la Frontera. With the aid of a wealthy couple in the area, he founded and managed the Hospital de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (Our Lady of Candlemas) at Jerez. He affiliated the place with the Order of Hospitallers, handing it over to Saint John of God, and joining the order himself at Granada in 1574. During an outbreak of the plague in 1574, he organized a group to help tend to victims; they were very successful. At the request of the Archbishop of Seville, he completely reformed the Church's health care system in the diocese, improving efficiency and services.
John was blessed with mystical gifts, and predicted the fall of the Spanish Armada. He ran afoul of many in authority, chastising officials and those who ran charities when they lived well, and those they were supposed to serve continued to suffer. Arranged anonymous dowries for poor girls so they could marry and avoid lives on the street. Fed and clothed prisoners and refugees. Died tending to plague victims.
3 June 1600 at Jerez of plague relics at the diocesan Shrine of Saint John Grande, Saint John Grande Hospital, Jerez
For All The Saints Kirken i Norge - norwegian