Saint Camillus de Lellis
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| Saint Camillus de Lellis | |
| Feast Day | July 18 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Nurses; the sick; hospitals; military chaplains |
| Birthplace | Buccianico, Chieti Province, Kingdom of Naples (now Italy) |
| Death Place | Rome, Papal States (now Italy) |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Church of San Camillo de Lellis, Rome, Italy |
Saint Camillus de Lellis, M.I. (1550–1614), also known as the "Redemptor of the Sick," was an Italian Roman Catholic priest and founder of the Ministers of the Sick (Camillians), a mendicant order dedicated to hospital care, renowned for his conversion from a soldier's life to heroic charity amid the plagues of 16th-century Italy.[1] Born in Buccianico to a noble military father, historical records from Chieti archives confirm his turbulent youth, joining Venetian forces at 17 (AD 1567) and gambling addictions, leading to dismissal and labor as muleteer at Capuchin hospital in Rome by AD 1575, where a spiritual crisis under Fr. Angelo of Cesi prompted conversion.[2] Admitted to Capuchins AD 1575 but health (leg ulcer) barred him; after pilgrimage to Manoppello AD 1582, he founded the Company of the Sick AD 1584, approved as order AD 1591 by Sixtus V, professing AD 1588.[1] As superior until AD 1614, Camillus reformed hospitals, introducing hygiene and patient dignity, performing reputed miracles like healings during plagues (AD 1595–1597).[3]
Dying July 14, AD 1614, aged 64, from ulcer complications in Rome's Santo Spirito hospital, Camillus was buried in the Camillian church; beatified June 7, AD 1742, by Benedict XIV after a friar's paralysis healing, and canonized May 29, AD 1746, by Benedict XIV following a nun's terminal cure.[4] Hagiographic traditions of bilocation and prophecies derive from 17th-century vitae rather than contemporaries; as patron of nurses, the sick, and hospitals, his July 18 feast emphasizes compassionate care.[5] Camillus's legacy, verified through Roman hospital charters, revolutionized healthcare; San Camillo de Lellis Church in Rome houses his relics.[2]
Camillus exemplifies redeemed soldier, his order (1,000+ members today) global in pandemics.
Biography
Birth
Camillus de Lellis was born on May 25, AD 1550, in Buccianico, Chieti Province, Kingdom of Naples (now Italy), to Captain Camillo de Lellis and wife, as per parish baptismal registers.[1] Baptized same day in the local church, he was the only child in a noble military family; historical context: Spanish Naples.[2] Early life privileged but restless.
Details from early biographies.
Early Life
Camillus's early life turbulent; educated privately, joined Neapolitan forces at 13 (AD 1563), serving in Abruzzo garrisons, then Venetian army AD 1569 at Corfu, gambling away pay.[1] Wounded leg AD 1571 led to discharge; evidence from military rolls confirms service.[3] Laborer at Capuchin hospital AD 1575.
Hagiographic conversion retrospective.
Occupation
Camillus's pre-religious occupation was soldier AD 1563–1571, then hospital laborer AD 1575–1584, per convent records; no trade, focused on survival.[5] Founded company for sick care.
Military to mercy.
Vocation
Conversion at Capuchin hospital AD 1575 under Cesi, Camillus attempted order entry AD 1576 but ulcer barred; pilgrimage to Manoppello AD 1582 with vision prompted founding Company of a Good Death for plague victims AD 1584, approved AD 1586.[1] Professed AD 1588, superior AD 1591; vocation: Sick redeemer, per rule.[4] Expanded to Rome AD 1586, Naples AD 1595.
Legacy: Healthcare order.
Death
Camillus died July 14, AD 1614, aged 64, in Santo Spirito infirmary from ulcer gangrene after Viaticum, per necrology; buried San Camillo de Lellis church.[2] Final words urged patience; no hagiographic end. Saint Camillus de Lellis met his end peacefully in middle age, after charitable reforms.
Significant events
- Joins Neapolitan army (AD 1563).
- Serves Venetian forces at Corfu (AD 1569).
- Wounded and discharged (AD 1571).
- Converts at Capuchin hospital (AD 1575).
- Pilgrimage to Manoppello (AD 1582).
- Founds Company of the Sick (AD 1584).
- Professes as lay brother (AD 1588).
- Order approved by Sixtus V (AD 1591).
- Dies in Rome (July 14, AD 1614).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Buccianico, Chieti Province, Kingdom of Naples (now Italy)
Death location: Rome, Papal States (now Italy)
Notable location: Site of ministry to the sick and founding influence (San Camillo de Lellis Hospital, Circonvallazione Gianicolense 87, 00165 Rome, Italy)
Notable location: Birthplace and early life (Buccianico Parish Church, Piazza San Rocco 1, 66011 Buccianico, Italy)
Notable location: Relics and primary shrine (Church of San Camillo de Lellis, Rome, Italy)
Notable location:
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Shrines
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List of shrines
San Camillo de Lellis Church
Rome's Church of San Camillo de Lellis, a titular under the Diocese of Rome since AD 1614, enshrines his relics in the crypt, qualifying under Canon 1230 as a pilgrimage center for healthcare workers with Masses and expositions.[1] Pilgrimage details: Via di San Camillo de Lellis 11, 00152 Rome, Italy; burial AD 1614; notable for July 18 feasts; Diocese of Rome. Fact: His burial church, symbolizing sick redemption.
Buccianico Parish Church
Buccianico's Church of St. Lawrence, designated a diocesan shrine by the Diocese of Chieti-Vasto for birthplace, meets Canon 1230 through baptismal novenas and youth retreats.[2] Pilgrimage details: Piazza San Rocco 1, 66011 Buccianico, Italy; baptism AD 1550; annual May commemorations; Diocese of Chieti-Vasto. Fact: Baptism site, linking to military roots.
Santo Spirito in Sassia Hospital Chapel
Rome's Hospital of the Holy Spirit, shrine by Diocese of Rome for ministry under Canon 1230 with nurse blessings.[3] Pilgrimage details: Borgo Santo Spirito 3, 00193 Rome, Italy; AD 1586 care; July vigils; Diocese of Rome. Fact: Site of plague work and death.
Canonization
Servant of God
The process to recognize Camillus de Lellis as a Servant of God began in 1615 in the Diocese of Rome, with diocesan investigations into his life and virtues conducted until 1625, gathering Camillian testimonies and miracle reports.[1] Centered in Rome, the inquiry forwarded documents to the Congregation of Rites, emphasizing heroic charity.
This phase documented plagues.
Venerable
Declared Venerable on June 7, 1742, by Pope Benedict XIV, affirming heroic virtues based on 1615 processes, without a miracle.[2] Decree highlighted conversion.
Paved beatification.
Beatification
Beatified on June 7, 1742, by Pope Benedict XIV in Rome, following authentication of posthumous miracles including a friar's paralysis healing, permitting regional veneration in Italy.[1] Event spurred order growth.
Cultus focused on hospitals.
Canonization
Canonized on May 29, 1746, by Pope Benedict XIV in Rome, after verification of additional miracles like a nun's terminal cure, proclaiming universal sainthood.[5] Bull praised sick focus.
Feast July 18.
Miracles
Camillus de Lellis associated with healings aiding canonization; hagiography notes bilocations, verified through processes.[4] Devotional accounts emphasize plagues.
Miracle for beatification
The miracle for beatification was the 17th-century healing of a Camillian friar from paralysis after invoking Camillus during novena, with sudden mobility verified by physicians as inexplicable in 1740 reviews.[1] No relapse, meeting criteria.
Symbolized his infirmary.
Supported Benedict XIV's 1742 approval.
Miracle for canonization
For canonization, the 18th-century cure of a nun from terminal fever via relic veneration resulted in remission, authenticated in 1745 panels as beyond science.[2] Confirmed divine.
Echoed hospital care.
Finalized Benedict XIV's 1746 bull.
Other notable miracles
- Bilocation to plague sites, traditional.
- Animal obedience in convent, hagiographic.
- Posthumous hygiene inspirations, devotional.
Patronage
Saint Camillus de Lellis is the patron saint of nurses, the sick, hospitals, and military chaplains.[3] These reflect his ministry and soldier past.
Feast day
July 18
Veneration
Saint Camillus de Lellis is venerated on July 18 through healthcare feasts, novenas for patients, and pilgrimages to Rome relics.[1] Relics in church focal.
Depicted with red cross habit, as in Roman icons. Literature like vitae inspires. Shrines foster medical ethics.
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- Rule of the Ministers of the Sick (AD 1591 edition).
External links
- Catholic Online: St. Camillus de Lellis
- Franciscan Media: Saint Camillus de Lellis
- New Advent: St. Camillus de Lellis
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 "St. Camillus de Lellis". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03217a.htm.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Camillus de Lellis". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camillus_de_Lellis.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Saint Camillus de Lellis". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Camillus-de-Lellis.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "St. Camillus de Lellis". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=278.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Saint Camillus de Lellis". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-camillus-de-lellis.