Pomegranate and Cross

This logo is taken from the crest of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God. The combined symbols of the pomegranate and the cross represent "charity and sacrifice." The bursting fruit expresses the need for love to expand while the cross reminds us that there can be no charity without sacrifice.

How St. John of God Received the Pomegranate
and Cross

In one of John of God's journeys Our Lord marvelously revealed to him what designs He had upon him. One day as our pious peddler, as we may justly name him at the time, was trudging along in the open country, bending under his load, he observed, traveling in the same direction as himself, a young lad of a noble and beautiful appearance, although poorly clad and walking barefooted. John, touched at the sight, promptly took off his own shoes and offered them to the little wayfarer. The child tried them on with the greatest simplicity, but, as they naturally proved too large, he handed them back with a gracious smile to his would-be benefactor. Our Saint, ashamed for being more delicate than a child, did not dare to put his shoes on again. However, the charitable ingenuity of John was not to be outdone. He invited his young acquaintance to mount on top of his pack, saying: "Dear child, my brother, you will tear your feet; as my shoes do not fit you, mount upon my shoulders" - an invitation which was at once gratefully accepted. Carrying this unknowingly Him who supports the world, John was making the apprenticeship of the fatigues of serving others. At the same time, as he afterwards declared, he felt inspired to take the resolution of himself going bare footed for the remainder of his life.

Behold then our Saint plodding along under the broiling sun and weighed down by his double burden, whilst the child wipes with his hands the sweat running from John's face. Coming to a stream and being parched with thirst, he asked the child to get down. "My dear little brother," he said, "allow me to set you down near that tree whilst I will go and drink; I shall be back in a few minutes." The child obeyed; but scarcely had John proceeded a few steps in the direction of the river than the Infant Jesus - for it was He - addressed him by name and revealed Himself to Him clothed in radiant light. In His hands He held aloft a half-open pomegranate, the emblem of charity, surmounted by a cross, saying at the same time: "John of God, Granada will be thy cross." He then disappeared from view, leaving the servant of God surprised and confused at being the object of such special favor.

The apparition was of double significance. The pomegranate is a fruit red inside and surmounted by a crown. Worldly writers make it the symbol of royalty, but in Holy Scripture it is the symbol of Charity. The cross coming out of the pomegranate represents the spirit of sacrifice which springs from charity. The Cross and Charity go hand in hand; to love is to immolate oneself.

Taken from A Hero of Charity: St. John of God
by Rev. Fr. Ignatius-Mary Magnin

© 1996 The Brothers of St. John of God