St. Camillus of Lellis

St. Camillus of Lellis Biography

St. Camillus de Lellis was a Catholic priest and religious leader who lived in the 16th and 17th centuries. He was born in 1550 in the Kingdom of Naples, which was then part of the Spanish Empire. His father was a military officer and his mother was a devout Catholic, but Camillus was known to have a wild and reckless youth. He left home at a young age and became a soldier, fighting in various wars throughout Italy.

During his time as a soldier, Camillus became seriously injured in battle and was forced to retire. He turned to gambling and other vices to pass the time, but eventually found himself in dire straits financially. It was then that he experienced a religious conversion and decided to dedicate his life to serving the sick and the poor. He began to work as a nurse, and soon formed a community of like-minded individuals to assist him in his mission.

In 1582, Camillus and his community established a hospital in Rome dedicated to caring for the sick, which they called the “”House of the Incurables””. They also set up a religious order, which they called the Ministers of the Sick, or the Camillians. The order was officially recognized by the Catholic Church in 1584.

As the head of the Camillians, Camillus established hospitals, dispensaries and ambulances throughout Italy, France and Poland. He also began to train others to provide care to the sick and to promote the spiritual well-being of their patients. Camillus himself was known for his deep compassion and his willingness to care for the most marginalized and neglected members of society, including prisoners and lepers.

In addition to his work as a nurse and religious leader, Camillus was also known for his devotion to the Eucharist and his deep spiritual insight. He wrote a number of works on spiritual topics, including a treatise on the love of God and the importance of frequent communion. He also fostered devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Camillus died in Rome in 1614, and was canonized by the Catholic Church in 1746. Today, the Camillian religious order continues to operate hospitals and care centers throughout the world, and St. Camillus is venerated as the patron saint of the sick, hospitals, nurses, and the dying.

St. Camillus de Lellis had also a special devotion and care for the soldiers, many of them wounded, given his background and experience as soldier himself. During his lifetime, he established a military hospital and dedicated himself to helping veterans, particularly those who were injured or disabled.

Throughout history, many miracles have been attributed to St. Camillus’ intercession, such as healings and the protection of soldiers in battle. His spiritual message of compassion and care for the suffering continues to inspire many people to this day.

The Life of St. Camillus of Lellis

St. Camillus was born in 1550 at Bucchianico, Italy, a town of the diocese of Chieti, of the noble family of the Lelli. His mother died when he was quite young. At the age de of nineteen, together with his father, Saint Camillus entered Military service and served in the army until 1574. He had contracted a violent passion for cards and gambling, and sometimes lost even the necessaries of life.

Patron Saint of the Sick

After some years of a worldly life, St. Camillus endeavored to enter the Capuchin Order and the Grey Friars. A running sore in one of his legs, which was considered incurable, made it impossible for him to make his religious profession. Therefore he went to Rome, where he served the incurable sick for four years in St. James Hospital with great fervor. Grieved to see the lack of passion of the hired servants in attending the sick, St. Camillus was inspired, in 1582, to found a Congregation known as the Ministers of the Sick, who should be desirous to devote themselves to nurse the sick out of fervent charity, and to procure for them all spiritual help possible.

St. Camillus was encouraged by St. Philip Neri to become a Priest, and two years later he was ordained. In 1586, Pope Sixtus V confirmed his Congregation, which spread from Rome to Milan, Genoa, Florence, Bologna, Messina, Palermo, Ferrara, and other places. St. Camillus of Lellis persevered in caring for the sick and dying until his death in 1614, at the age of sixty-four. He was canonized by Pope Benedict XIV in 1746, and was declared a Patron Saint of the infirm by Pope Leo XIII.

 

St. Camillus is the patron saint of nurses and hospital workers

Today, the Catholic Church regards St. Camillus of Lellis as the patron saint of nurses, hospital workers, and all those who are sick. St. Camillus dedicated his life in service to the poor sick who could not receive treatment anywhere else. He recognized the inherent dignity of each person and served the poor and sick with tenderness and love.

St. Camillus is a model to doctors, nurses, and all others who work in medical professions of living a life with a servant’s heart. By immolating the holy example of St. Camillus in your medical profession you are caring for the most needy in the world, just as Jesus did. During the challenging times turn to the intercession of St. Camillus, patron saint of doctors, nurses, and hospital workers to intercede on the behalf of yourself and your patient. St. Camillus of Lellis, pray for us.

 

Prayer to St. Camillus

Prayer for the Intercession of St. Camillus

St. Camillus, you lived in faith and in fidelity to Our Lord Jesus Christ despite the many trials of your own life. In your compassion for the poor and the sick, you were a clear sign that God lives and cares. In our troubled times, many live as if God were dead or absent. We pray you to share with us your faith in the Person of Jesus. Even if we falter and are weak ourselves, through you, we pray Jesus to grant us a faith that is expressed in good works and in faithfulness to his saving will. We also ask you to present this petition to God, Our Father… For this we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

---

Prayer to St. Camillus for the Sick or Poor

O glorious Saint Camillus, special patron of the sick poor, thou who for forty years, with truly heroic charity, didst devote thyself to the relief of their temporal and spiritual necessities, be pleased to assist them now even more generously, since thou art blessed in heaven and they have been committed by Holy Church to thy powerful protection. Obtain for them from Almighty God the healing of all their maladies, or, at least, the spirit of Christian patience and resignation that they may sanctify them and comfort them in the hour of their passing to eternity; at the same time obtain for us the precious grace of living and dying after thine example in the practice of divine love. Amen.

A Prayer to St. Camillus of Lellis

Oh St. Camillus of Lellis, patron saint of the sick and those in need of physical healing, I come to you today asking for your intercession.

With a heart filled with love and compassion, you dedicated your life to the care of the sick and suffering, always finding ways to comfort and heal.

I pray that through your powerful intercession, I may experience physical, emotional, and spiritual healing in my life.

Help me to imitate your example of compassion and generosity, and to trust in the Lord’s loving care, even in the most trying of times.

St. Camillus, I place my trust in you and pray that through your intercession, I may be restored to health and find peace in my heart. Amen.

Another Prayer to St. Camillus of Lellis

Glorious St. Camillus, you lived a life of selflessness and service to the sick and suffering.

With a heart overflowing with love for Christ and for others, you left behind a legacy of hope and healing for all those in need.

I ask for your intercession today, that I may be strengthened in body and soul, and that I may find the courage to follow in your footsteps, serving others with love and compassion.

Grant me the grace to imitate your example, and to trust in God’s plan for my life, even in the face of illness and suffering.

St. Camillus, pray for me and all those in need of physical and spiritual healing. Amen.

Popular St. Camillus Medal and St. Camillus Rosary

St. Camillus of Lellis: The Patron Saint of the Sick and Hospitals

St. Camillus of Lellis, born in 1550 in Italy, is a celebrated figure in the Catholic Church and is widely recognized as the patron saint of the sick and hospitals. St. Camillus was a former soldier who experienced a profound conversion after suffering from a serious illness himself.

Inspired by his own experiences of physical and spiritual healing, St. Camillus devoted himself to the care of the sick and the poor. He founded the Order of St. Camillus, a religious community dedicated to the care of the sick, and worked tirelessly to establish hospitals and care facilities throughout Italy.

St. Camillus’s tireless efforts to serve the sick and the poor and his deep compassion for all those in need earned him a reputation as a model of charity and selflessness. In recognition of his contributions to the care of the sick, he was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church and is now widely recognized as the patron saint of the sick and hospitals.

St. Camillus’s feast day is celebrated on July 14th, and it is customary for Catholics to attend Mass in his honor and to pray for the continued growth of the Church’s ministry to the sick and the poor.

In the spirit of St. Camillus’s example, Catholic hospitals and care facilities around the world strive to embody the ideals of compassion, selflessness, and charity in their care for the sick and the vulnerable. Through their work, they honor the legacy of St. Camillus and continue his mission of bringing comfort and healing to those in need.

Reflection on the feast day of St. Camillus of Lellis

The feast day of St. Camillus of Lellis is celebrated on July 18th.

St. Camillus de Lellis was a 16th-century Italian priest and the founder of the Camillians, a religious order of men dedicated to serving the sick. He was born in 1550 and lived a wild youth and had a gambling addiction. He served as a soldier and during his service, he had an experience that led him to a deep conversion and decided to devote his life to serving the sick.

One of the main themes of St. Camillus’s teachings is the importance of compassion and service to others. He understood the suffering of the sick and the poor, as he himself had been a patient and had experienced the lack of care and attention in the hospitals of the time. He founded the Camillians, a religious order dedicated to providing care for the sick, the poor and the abandoned, and he himself worked tirelessly to care for the sick and dying.

Another important aspect of St. Camillus’s spirituality is his devotion to the Eucharist. He believed that through the Eucharist, one could find strength and comfort in times of suffering. He encouraged the frequent reception of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, for the sick and the dying.

In reflecting on the feast day of St. Camillus of Lellis, we are reminded of the importance of compassion and service to others. Let us strive to follow in his example and to serve the sick and the poor, with love and compassion. May St. Camillus intercede for us and guide us in our efforts to care for the suffering and the vulnerable.

In this feast day, we are also called to reflect on our own lives, especially in the moments of suffering, and to remember that we are not alone, and that we can find strength and comfort in the Eucharist. May St. Camillus intercede for us and guide us to a deeper faith and devotion to the Eucharist, and to be always ready to serve others in need.

Discover biographies, prayers, and reflections for more than 400 Catholic Saints

Saints Similar to St. Camillus of Lellis

You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Camillus of Lellis. St. Camilla and St. Camillus of Lellis share a similar name and both were involved in the care of the sick and needy. St. Camilla was the founder of the Camillian Sisters, and St. Camillus of Lellis was the founder of the Camillians, a religious order dedicated to healthcare. Next up: Biography of St. Carmen

 

Also check out our handmade St. Camillus of Lellis Medal and St. Camillus of Lellis Rosary and St. Camillus of Lellis Rosary Bracelet.