Brief Explanation & History of St. John of God Hospitaller Order,
Korean Province
Who we are
The Hospitaller Order of St. John of God began in Granada, Spain, by some followers of our Founder, St. John of God (1495-1550), who cared for the sick, the poor, and the marginalized in a small house in 1539.
In 1572, Saint Pius V as a simple congregation approved the Order. In 1586 it was given the full status of a religious Order by Pope Sixtus V.
The Brothers of the Order in keeping with the historical traditions of the Order mentioned above consecrate themselves to God in by the public profession of the religious vows of chastity, poverty, obedience, and hospitality.
The Order is present in 52 countries where 1,400 brothers and 45,00 co-workers are working in 300 hospitals and social welfare services.
In 1958 5 brothers came from Ireland to establish the Order in Korea, the independent Korean Province of the Order was established in June 22nd, 2005, under the title of St. Daegun Kim Province.
The headquarters of the Order in Korea is located in Gwangju, there are 35 brothers residing in 6 communities and apostolic works, these are situated in Gwangju, Chuncheon, Seoul, Damyang, China, and Japan.