Saint Camillus de Lellis

Saint Camillus de Lellis

 

SAINT OF THE DAY – July 14, 2022 REFLECTION

Liturgical Calendar Day: Saint Camillus de Lellis – Memorial

Scripture Text: Isa 26:7-9, 12, 16-19; Mt 11:28-30

Some begin life badly. By the grace of God, they end well.

Born in 1550 in Bucchianico di Chieti, Kingdom of Naples, now Italy, Camillus de Lellis had been a neglected child. His mother died when he was very young, and his father, a nobleman with a distinguished military career fighting for the armies of Naples and France, acknowledged him but nothing more.

As a youth, Camillus joined the armies of Venice and then of Naples as a soldier, where he developed a gambling addiction.

At seventeen years old, he contracted incurable leg ulcers, which proved to be a significant development, as we will see later on.

His leg sores were probably venous skin ulcers, which are caused by weak blood circulation in the limbs. Today they are treated using compression stockings, among others, but they may never heal, as in Camillus’ case.

Camillus trooped to San Giacomo hospital for incurables, Rome, seeking help, where he also volunteered to work as a servant. Because he had a quick temper, he was sent away after nine months for being quarrelsome.

He rejoined the army of Venice, but in 1574 his regiment was disbanded. At this point Camillus was 24 years old. He had gambled away everything he had, including, literally, his shirt.

Providentially, the kindness of a Capuchin friar employed him at the Manfredonia friary, where, moved by the words of the guardian of the house, Camillus turned away from his dissipated life.

He was accepted in the novitiate of the Capuchins but was dismissed because his leg sores did not improve.

Camillus returned to serve the sick at San Giacomo. When he left again to rejoin the Capuchins, he was once more rejected because of his incurable disease.

At this point, Camillus’ circumstances began to change for the better. San Giacomo accepted his renewed offer of service. Edified by Camillus’ piety and good sense, the hospital appointed him superintendent. Thereafter he commenced a remarkable journey of lifelong service to the sick.

At 32 years old, he began the study of Latin at the Jesuit College in Rome. He was ordained a priest two years later.

He founded a religious order, the Order of Clerics Regular, Ministers to the Sick, known today as the Camillians, devoted to the care of the sick.

He spent the remainder of his entire life in heroic service to the sick, ever beset by his incurable leg disease. Additional physical afflictions with advancing age caused him great suffering.

Yet Camillus wouldn’t allow anyone to wait on him, and he would even crawl out of bed to visit his beloved sick.

The saint passed away at the age of 65 years in 1614.

The life of Saint Camillus de Lellis tells us that conversion is a lifelong process, as a rule gradual and often marked by setbacks.

Yet by unflagging perseverance and only by the grace of God do we attain our final and eternal destination.