Camillus de Lellis
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St Camillus De Lellis (Bucchianico, Abruzzo Kingdom of Naples, 1550 – July 14, 1614 at Rome) was an Italian monk who founded a religious order.
Biography
Camillus' mother died while he was still a child and his father was an officer in both the Neapolitan and French armies. As a consequence Camillus grew up very neglected. Camillus joined the Venetian army while still only a youth. After his regiment was disbanded in 1574 Camillus worked in a hospital for uncurables, however his aggressive nature and excessive gambling led to his dismissal. He rejoined the Venetian army and fought in the war against the Turks in 1569. After the war he later returned to the hospital in Rome from which he had been dismissed, he became a nurse and later director of the hospital.Camillus established the order of Clerks regular ministers to the sick, betetr known as Camillians [website of the Camillians]. His experience in wars led him to establish a group of health care workers who would assist soldiers on the battlefield. Their symbol on their cassock remains today a red cross. Members also devoted themselves to the plagued. Camillus was so destressed at how hopeless plague cases were treated during his time, that he formed the "Brothers of the Happy Death," for plague victims. It was the efforts of the "Brothers of the Happy Death," and his alleged supernatural healings that the people of Rome credited Camillus with getting rid of a certain plague, and Camillus was named "Patron Saint of Rome" for a time. Throughout his life Camillus' ailments caused him suffering but he would permit no-one to wait on him and would crawl to visit the sick when unable to stand and walk. It is said that Camillus possessed the gifts of healing and prophecy. He was beatified in 1742 and canonized by Benedict XIV in 1746.
Veneration
Popularly, Camillus is the patron saint of gamblers and of nurses. His body is located in the altar in the Church of Mary Magdalene, Rome, Italy, along with several of his relics. Also on display is the cross which allegedly spoke to Camillus, and asked him, "Why are you afraid? Do you not realise that this is not your work but mine?" which has become the motto associated with St. Camillus, as well as healthcare workers who follow his charism.Sources and references
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