History
A
rich history
In the first half of 16th century Spain, Saint John
of God devoted a major part of his life to alleviating human
suffering, to comforting and soothing the afflicted, sick and
dying. John lived the teachings of Jesus Christ and as a man who
recognised the great injustice of those experiencing disadvantage,
he was often heard encouraging others to: "Do good for yourselves
by doing good for others.”
The Sisters of St John of God
The congregation of the Sisters of St John of God was founded
in 1871 in Wexford, Ireland. Word of the Sisters’ excellence in
health care spread rapidly.
In response to a call from Perth’s Bishop,
Matthew Gibney, eight Sisters arrived in Western Australia in 1895
to care for people stricken by typhoid in the chaos of the 1890s
gold rush. They went on to establish hospitals, pathology and
social outreach services in Western Australia, Victoria and New
South Wales in response to invitations from Bishops and local
communities.
Sisters receive formal thanks in Western Australia's
Parliament
In March 2011, the contribution of the Sisters of St John of God
to the health and wellbeing of metropolitan and regional
communities was formally acknowledged in Western Australia's
Parliament by Bunbury MLA John Castrilli and Pilbara MLA Tom
Stephens.
Read the full text of:
The Hospitaller Order of St John of God
The Hospitaller Order of St John
of God came to Australia from Ireland in 1947 to care for
people experiencing disadvantage. The Brothers began ministries in
New South Wales and Victoria, and then in Christchurch, New
Zealand, focusing initially on learning difficulties and
intellectual disability, then on psychiatric care and child and
family social services.
Our larger, broader organisation of today
reflects the wisdom and inspiration of a number of founders: the St
John of God Sisters; the Brothers of St John of God; the Sisters of
Joseph of the Apparition; various Mercy Congregations; the Sisters
of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood; as well as
the secular traditions of those parts of our ministry sourced
outside the Catholic sector.