ST CAMILLUS DE LELLIS- Founder of Red Cross

 

       "If there were no poor people in the world, we should have to go below the earth to look for them and rescue them, to show them compassion and do them good!" These words of St. Camillus de Lellis, summarized his person and spirituality. He dedicated his life to the works of Charity and to bringing joy to weary souls.

        Born on the 25th of May, 1550 at Chieti in the Abruzzi, part of Naples. His mother Camilla was nearly fifty when she gave birth to him, and his Father was an officer of both the Neapolitan and French Royal armies and was seldom home. Thus, Camillus grew up not being well directed in the ways of the Lord. He entered the military, however, and after some years in the army, his regiment was disbanded in 1575. After wasting all his possession, he took work as a laborer in a Capuchin friary. It was to the words and encouragements of the Guardian (Superior) of the community that he owes his conversion. He entered the novitiate of the Capuchin Order but because of a leg ailment which seemed incurable, he was denied admission to the Order. Then, he began his life of Charity and asceticism. He felt that he needed a religious Order that will be dedicated to this works of Charity and thus, he sought to become a priest. Through the help of a donor, he was able to pass through the seminary training and was ordained on the Pentecost of 1584.

 

  Thus, he founded the Order of Clerks Regular, Ministers of the infirm, also called the Camillians. He also, went further to found a group of health care workers, who would assist soldiers in the battle field. Their symbol is a large Cross on their habit which today is a universal symbol of Charity and Service. This was the original Red Cross society, hundreds of years before the international Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was formed. The Societies he founded devoted themselves entirely to the works of Charity. 

        St. Camillus dedicated his entire life to bringing to joy to people. He died in Rome in the year, 1614. He was beatified by Pope Benedict XIV in 1742 and canonized by the same Pope in 1746.

        According to one of his companions, "In the sick, he saw the person of Christ. His imagination was so vivid that, while feeding them, he perceived his patients as other Christs"

        How do you see those around you, with what charity do you treat them?

        The little work began by St. Camillus has, today, grown into a Universal body of Charity. Do not grow weary of doing good.

St. Camillus de Lellis            pray for us