Saint Camillus de Lellis, Priest
Feast day: July 18 (in U.S. dioceses)
For all those in our modern times who believe they cannot be forgiven for a past sin, the life of St. Camillus de Lellis can give hope in the power of the resurrected Lord to turn a life around.
Born in Italy in 1550, St. Camillus was initially an aggressive and quarrelsome young man who was also a compulsive gambler. But thanks to the inspiration of the Capuchin Franciscan friars and a good spiritual director, St. Camillus de Lellis died as a priest who founded a religious order, the Ministers of the Infirm, or the Camillians, whose red cross on their cassocks was a predecessor to the International Red Cross Organization. He established many houses in various cities of Italy to care for the sick and he had the gift of miracles and prophecy.
Starting out in a life of neglect, in which he lost his mother as a child, St. Camillus was a contentious person who became a confirmed gambler after his military service unit was disbanded. On occasion, his gambling made him destitute. But it was the kindness of one Franciscan friar in particular at the monastery where he sought work that eventually convinced St. Camillus slowly to turn his life around. His conversion took time as he fought his tendencies to gamble and quarrel. He became a lay brother with the Capuchins, but was twice denied entry into their order because of an incurable leg injury sustained in the military.
Undeterred, St. Camillus moved to Rome where he worked in the hospital for incurables while receiving treatment for his leg. Although initially kicked out of the hospital because of his bad temper, he returned to the same hospital and finally convinced the staff to make him a nurse there after a temporary cure of his leg. Eventually, he was appointed director for his exemplary spirit of piety. With a renewed state of mind, St. Camillus transformed the hospital’s care by providing sanitary conditions, nutrition and the love of God to its patients, particularly at their last moments of life.
Under the advice of his confessor and spiritual director, St. Philip Neri, St. Camillus was ordained a priest and established his religious order, the Ministers of the Infirm, with the support of a wealthy donor. Even today members of this order are devoted to helping the plague-stricken in several countries at the risk of their lives and care for the sick in both hospitals and at home. Although enduring health problems himself, St. Camillus continued to look after the sick with compassion. He died in Rome in 1614 and was entombed at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene.
Reflection
Oh God, thank you for never giving up on us and showering your mercy in abundance on us in repentance. With you, there is always hope.
Prayer
O God, who adorned the Priest Saint Camillus
with a singular grace of charity towards the sick,
pour out upon us, by his merits,
a spirit of love for you,
so that, serving you in our neighbor,
we may, at the hour of our death,
pass safely over to you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
