perseverando
Hospital of St John
The medieval St. John's hospital, in Bruges, is one of the oldest still existing hospitals in Europe. In 1978 it lost its function as hospital and harbours now the Memling museum, the hospital museum and the old pharmacy.
The oldest known document with rules for the hospital dates from 1188. It shows that the 'brothers and sisters' of the hospital did not really belong to a religious order with strict rules. In this respect, they did not make vows like other religious orders. This changed in 1236 when the bishop of Tournai insisted that the brothers and sisters made vows of obedience, chastity and poverty. They were also then obliged to wear a religious habit.
The hospital was built to provide housing and care for pilgrims, passers-by and travelling salesmen. Also sick people were accepted (at least if their illness was not contagious!).
Hospital of St John
The medieval St. John's hospital, in Bruges, is one of the oldest still existing hospitals in Europe. In 1978 it lost its function as hospital and harbours now the Memling museum, the hospital museum and the old pharmacy.
The oldest known document with rules for the hospital dates from 1188. It shows that the 'brothers and sisters' of the hospital did not really belong to a religious order with strict rules. In this respect, they did not make vows like other religious orders. This changed in 1236 when the bishop of Tournai insisted that the brothers and sisters made vows of obedience, chastity and poverty. They were also then obliged to wear a religious habit.
The hospital was built to provide housing and care for pilgrims, passers-by and travelling salesmen. Also sick people were accepted (at least if their illness was not contagious!).