Saint Camillus de Lellis

Camillus was born on May 25, 1550, at Bucchianico in the Abruzzo region of Italy. A huge, hot-tempered young man, he became a mercenary soldier and an addicted gambler, losing everything he had. While working as a laborer for the Capuchins at Manfredonia, he was converted in 1575. He tried to become a Capuchin, but an incurable sore on his leg kept him out.

At the Hospital of San Giacomo in Rome, where he went for treatment, he began nursing the patients and was shocked by their neglect. Guided by Saint Philip Neri, he was ordained a priest in 1584 and founded the Ministers of the Sick, the Camillians, who vowed to serve the sick even at the risk of their lives and wore a large red cross on their habit. He died in Rome on July 14, 1614, and was canonized in 1746. Pope Leo XIII named him patron of the sick and of hospitals.

Camillian religious, present in many countries including Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina and Peru, celebrate his feast in hospitals with Masses, blessings of the sick and recognition of nurses and health-care workers.