Camillus was born in the province of Abruzzi, Italy, in 1550. At the age of seventeen he became a professional soldier and fought in the service of Venice against the Turks. Seven years later, he found himself unemployed and with an open ulcer on his leg that would last throughout his life. In 1571 he sought medical treatment at San Giacomo Hospital, Rome, in return for his service as an orderly. In three years he was thrown out into the streets for misconduct. In 1574 the young Camillus was begging alms at the door of a Church in the city of Manfredonia, when a Good Samaritan offered him employment in a Capuchin Community. There he acquired the spirit of moderation and self-discipline. Apparently the Spirit of God had begun to work in him. His application to become a Capuchin was turned down due to his ulcer. Camillus then shuttled back to San Giacomo. There he served the patients with genuine love and placed himself under the guidance of St. Philip Neri to banish his vices and grow in holiness. It was at that centre that he found his real vocation to serve and nurse the sick.
In 1584 he was ordained priest and immediately conceived the idea of establishing a Society that would be fully dedicated to caring for the sick, the dying and the abandoned. Cashing in on his experience at the hospital and believing that the inspiration had come from God, he founded “The Clerks Regular of Good Death, Ministers to the Sick,” commonly known as the Camillians. The Rules were simple but effective as they were grounded on common sense and fraternal love. Camillus revolutionized the system of nursing by providing hygienic environment, well-ventilated wards, clean sheets, suitable diet, isolation of infectious diseases, spiritual assistance and many other details unavailable in the hospitals of his day. Death came to Camillus on July 14, 1614, as he raised his hands in a prayer of gratitude to Jesus for washing away his sins with His precious Blood. Pope Leo XIII declared him a saint in 1746.
Reflection. The story of how Camillus, a wild and reckless youth, a vagabond gambler and a compulsive alcoholic, overtook Christ and served Him in the poor is fascinating. It proves beyond doubt the power of grace over human weakness. With his conversion, Camillus realized that charity was the only cause that made life worth living and dying for.
O Lord, I promise to serve the sick, who are your sons and my brothers, all the days of my life, with all possible charity. (Fourth vow of the Camillans)
