St. Camillus de Lellis

Feast Day: July 18

“Think well. Speak well. Do well. These three things will make a person go to heaven.” – St. Camillus de Lellis

Apostle of the Sick

St. Camillus de Lellis is honored as a patron of the sick, nurses, and hospitals, known for his deep compassion and heroic care for the suffering. His feast day, celebrated on July 18, commemorates his transformation from a troubled young man into a great saint of mercy and service.

A Troubled Youth Redeemed

Camillus was born in 1550 in Bucchianico, Italy, into a noble but troubled family. After the early death of his mother and strained relationships, he became a soldier, living a reckless life of gambling, fighting, and sin.

A painful leg wound ended his military career, and through his suffering, Camillus experienced a profound conversion of heart, turning to God with sincere repentance.

A Servant of the Sick

After his conversion, Camillus worked at a hospital in Rome, where he was shocked by the poor treatment of patients. Feeling a deep call from God, he dedicated his life to caring for the sick with dignity, tenderness, and love, seeing Christ in each suffering person.

He studied for the priesthood and was ordained at the age of 34.

Founder of the Camillians

Camillus founded the Order of the Ministers of the Sick, known as the Camillians, whose members took a fourth vow in addition to poverty, chastity, and obedience—service to the sick, even at the risk of their own lives.

The Camillians cared for the sick in hospitals, during plagues, and even on the battlefields, providing both physical and spiritual care. They became recognizable by the large red cross on their habit, now an international symbol of medical care.

A Life of Heroic Charity

Despite his own chronic leg wound and frequent illness, Camillus tirelessly visited the sick, cleaned wounds, comforted the dying, and inspired his companions to love without limits. He died in 1614, worn out by a life completely poured out for others.

Patron of the Sick and Health Care Workers

St. Camillus is the patron saint of the sick, hospitals, nurses, doctors, and all health care workers, offering an example of selfless service, mercy, and compassion.

A Witness to Mercy and Love for the Suffering

St. Camillus de Lellis’s life reminds the faithful that true greatness is found in loving and serving the suffering, the poor, and the forgotten. His legacy continues wherever acts of charity and healing are performed in the name of Christ.

St. Camillus de Lellis, pray for us!