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“The dignity of the person, the respect for human life, the struggle against pain and suffering, and efficiency in management” are the values most stressed during the celebrations marking the fourth centenary of the presence of the hospital order of the “Brothers of St. John of God” in France. The celebrations began in 2002 and ended in recent weeks. Founded by Joao Cidade, (“John of God”) in Spain in the sixteenth century, the hospital order became established in France in 1602. Today it comprises some 1500 “brothers” worldwide and 367 hospitals and clinics in 46 countries throughout the world. Of the 60 “brothers” present in France, four are priests and five are completing their studies in seminary; a thousand or so medical staff work with them, including doctors, assistants and nurses. The “Brothers of St. John of God” run nine homes in France for the treatment and care of psychiatric patients and the disabled, as well as state of the art surgical clinics and hostels for the poor and homeless. Liturgical celebrations and moments of prayer, painting competitions and sports contests were held in the centres of Lyon, Lilles and Marseilles as part of the centenary. A fresco 500 metres long dedicated to the Founder of order was inaugurated on the external wall of the hospital in Lyon. It was painted by Mohamed Attia, Moslem psychiatrist of Algerian origin who serves in the hospital where he has promoted an association “that intends to promote the ‘spirit’ of St. John of God.
