Saint John of God was a Portuguese-born soldier turned health-care worker in Spain. He was impulsive and at times reckless, yet had a deep interior prayer life. He was a shepherd, soldier, bookseller, and hospital worker. When he was 40, after a sermon by St. John of Avila, he had a profound conversion to selflessly dedicate his life for others. He started the Brothers Hospitallers to continue his work among the poor, sick, homeless and unwanted.