HISTORY OF ST. CAMILLUS
HISTORY OF ST. CAMILLUS
Friday, February 05, 2010 05:27:09 PM 
ST. CAMILLUS DE LELLIS
SHORT HISTORY:
St. Camillus was born on May 25, 1550, in a little village of Abbruzo situated between mountains and sea in Buchianico, Chieti Italy. Thus he inherited from that country, gentleness and fortitude at the same time. These qualities characterized his life both as a soldier of fortune and a Saint of charity. While other saints can intimidate us by their transcendent sanctity, we find in Camillus both humanity and accessibility, he is one of our own kind, since he became a saint after a careless and disappointing youth. Camillus' mother, Camilla Compelli was nicknamed Elizabeth, as she was almost Sixty years of age when she gave birth to Camillus. His father, Giovani de lellis, a nobleman, and an army captain was very proud of his son.
Camillus lost his mother at the age of thirteen years old, leaving him as a gambler. After his mother’s death, Camillus followed his father in a military carrier, this increased his passion for dice and cards. His father died death in March 1571, after which Camillus went to St. James Hospital in Rome to be treated from a wound on his right foot. It was for this wound that Camillus could not join the Capuchins and decided to start his own order so as to help the sick people in the hospitals. To start his own congregation to help the sick and the poor , Camillus joined Seminary at the age of 37. He then became the founder of O.S.Cam (Order of St. Camillus or The Ministers of the Sick) in the year 1582. Camillus died I 14th July 1614 from fatigue and other illnesses. St Camillus was named a servant of the sick and patron of the nurses and doctors. Camillians are now all over the world working with and for the sick.