Saint Camillo de Lellis: the patron saint of the sick

From a dissolute man to the founder of the Camillians, Saint Camillo de Lellis is the universal patron of the sick, nurses and hospitals

Anyone who knew San Camillo de Lellis when he was young would never have imagined that that bully was devoted to gambling and tavern fights, He could have been a saint! Yet he really spent his youth among military garrisons and brothels, following his father officer in the service of Spain, and became a soldier of fortune in turn, leading a life totally untidy and devoted to gambling. Because of this vice, he lost everything and began to live on the street, begging and wandering without a goal, until he was welcomed in the Convent of the Capuchins of Manfredonia, who took it as a factotum. He began his conversion around 1575, but before he could take the vows he spent a long time in the hospital of San Giacomo degli Incurabili in Rome, first to heal an old foot wound, then as a servant, finally as a Treasurer and House Master. This hospital took in patients suffering from particularly serious and repugnant diseases, often incurable, to the point that they were often left at the entrance as parcels. It was precisely through interacting with these social waste, with these human wastes, that Saint Camillo de Lellis discovered his vocation for the care of the sick. With five companions he founded the Society of Ministers of the Sick in 1582.

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He then moved to the convent of the Church of La Maddalena and began to take care of the sick and infirm at the hospital of Santo Spirito in Sassia. In the meantime, he received the vows, after studying under the guidance of Saint Filippo Neri. In 1591 his Society was recognized as a religious order and assumed the name of Order of Ministers of the Sick. The order was characterized, in addition to the usual vows of chastity, poverty and obedience, by a fourth vow: assistance to the sick even with danger of life.

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The Order of Regular Clerics Ministers of the Sick, which would later take the name of Camillians from its founder, spread rapidly throughout Italy, with groups of monks serving in small and large hospitals.
Saint Camillo de Lellis died on 14 July 1614 in the Convent of La Maddalena, seat of his Order, and was buried here. Benedict XIV proclaimed him a saint in 1746 and later he became the universal patron of the sick, nurses and hospitals together with St John of God.

To understand the importance of the mission of San Camillo de Lellis we must think that in that era the care of the sick, especially in hospitals of the incurables, was often entrusted to mercenaries and criminals, forced to serve in these frightening places. Camillo drew up real Rules that were to define the figure of the servant of the sick, as he himself defined the religious nurses of the Society. In addition to imposing on his companions the renunciation of all secular goods that could have diverted them from their duties, it also required them a suitable culture and scientific preparation, because charity alone was not enough to save human lives. We have seen how the anointing of the sick is still considered today a precious rite to bring relief to those who suffer. This makes us understand how comforting it could be in places of suffering and disease the presence of men who were priests, as well as nurses, and they could provide medical care and at the same time impart anointing to the sick.

Prayer at San Camillo de Lellis

Here is a prayer for the sick that can be recited on 14 July, the day of the liturgical memory of Saint Camillo de Lellis, or whenever you feel the need to pray for the health of a sick loved one or for ourselves. Prayer brings an indispensable comfort, by medicating the body through the spirit and giving the sufferer the strength to face the disease with more courage and will to heal.

Oh Saint Camillo, who endured for so many years with unchanging patience a painful illness, Obtain for us to accept with a spirit of faith the infirmities and tribulations that the Lord will send us for our good and purification. You who have devoted your life with kindness and love to the care of the sick, bringing consolation and hope to all, obtain for us the grace to recognize Jesus in our suffering neighbour and serve him with great generosity of heart.