On December 8, 1965, Paul VI concluded the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, which had been courageously opened on October 11, 1962, by John XXIII. It was an event that transformed the face of the Church and paved the way for a profound renewal in the life of the entire “People of God”: clergy, religious, and laity.

Our religious brothers were present during the sessions, providing healthcare and ensuring prompt care for the Council Fathers and invited members—a concrete sign of our mission of hospitality—and furthermore, they participated with the large stand number 46 at the “Mostra della Chiesa” held in Rome from October 18 to December 9, 1962, presenting the history of the Order and its healthcare activity worldwide.

The Council pointed out a secure path through its fundamental documents: the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium on the universal call to holiness; the Decree Perfectae Caritatis on the renewal of Religious Life; and the Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes: an invitation for the Church to dialogue with the contemporary world. These texts guided the revision of lifestyle and the rediscovery of the Church’s deep spiritual roots.

Sixty years after its closing, the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God looks at that legacy with gratitude and responsibility, aware that the journey of renewal is still ongoing and that the Church walks in a synodal way, involving everyone in this path of proclaiming the Gospel, not without difficulties.

This anniversary invites us not only to remember the past but also to renew our commitment to live the Gospel with creativity and dedication, responding to the challenges of today’s world. In this time of renewal, the charism of Saint John of God has always maintained dynamic fidelity to its original mission: to serve the poor, the sick, and the marginalized with evangelical love, inviting us to live Hospitality as a concrete sign of God’s mercy.