On July 14, the Catholic Church celebrates the memory of St. Camillus de Lellis, founder of the Order of the Ministers of the Sick and patron saint of the sick, health professionals, and hospitals.
Newsdesk (July 15, 2021, 11:00 AM, Gaudium Press) Born on May 25, 1550, in a small town called Bucchianico in southern Italy. Camillus, touched by God’s grace in 1575, decided to become a Capuchin friar; but, they dismissed him twice because of a sore that developed on his leg during his military expeditions.
While in the Roman Hospital of St. James, he was inspired to unite his former discipline as a soldier with Christian charity and founded the “Ministers of the Sick.” The brothers of this Congregation had to take four vows: obedience, poverty, chastity, and caring for the sick.
Meaning of St. Camillus’ Red Cross
He is considered the first great reformer of the nursing profession and the welfare organization in hospitals. St. Camillus de Lellis is emblematically linked to a red cross that Pope Sixtus V let him embroider on his habit on June 20, 1586.
There are three reasons for the use of the red cross:
1. To distinguish it from the habit of the Society of Jesus;
2. To let the world know that those marked by this sign of the cross are slaves sold and dedicated to care for the sick;
3. To show that this is the religion of the cross, that is, of death, of suffering, and struggle.
Phrases of St. Camillus de Lellis
01 – “The world is a house that you rent, where you spend the night and part of the morning. Life is in the hands of the Lord; happy are those who do good in this world”.
02 – “Nothing unites us to God more than charity.”
03 – “Leave everything in God’s hands and turn to Our Lady.”
04 – “The sick reveal to us the face of God.”
05 – “What blindness I have had, that I did not know you earlier and sooner, Lord! Why haven’t I spent my whole life serving you? Forgive, Lord, this sinner!”
06 – “Man cannot persevere in the doing well if he does not practice prayer.”
07 – “The safest way to be sure of eternal salvation is to practice charity towards the poor sick.
08: “Death will come, perhaps tonight or tomorrow, when Our Lord wills it! Blessed are those who are vigilant. Let us do good while there is still time”.
09 – “Assist the sick with the love of a mother for her only sick child.”
10 – “This life has been given to us to fill our luggage with good works.”
Prayer to St. Camillus de Lellis
Glorious St. Camillus, turn an eye of mercy on those who suffer and on those who assist them. Grant the sick Christian acceptance, trust in God’s kindness and power. Give to those who care for the sick a generous and loving dedication. Help me to understand the mystery of suffering as a means of redemption and a path to God. Protect the ill and their families, and encourage them in the experience of love. Bless those who dedicate themselves to the sick, and may the good God grant peace and hope to all. Amen. (EPC)
Compiled by Ena Alfaro
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