“O Lord, I confess I am the most wretched of sinners, most undeserving of your favor; but save me by your infinite goodness. My hope is placed in your divine mercy through your precious blood.”- St. Camillus of Lellis

In the year 1550, Camillus was born in Naples' Abruzzo region, which is now in the country of Italy. His mother passed away while he was a baby, and six years later he also lost his father, an ex-army officer. The young man followed in his late father's professional footsteps by joining the Venetian and Naples armies in 1574.

Camillus' serious gambling issue started during his time in the military. He gave up the habit in 1575 after becoming destitute and being forced to perform menial tasks for a group of Franciscans. He decided to make a change in his life in February of that year and shortly sought to join the order.

Unfortunately, a disease in his leg which he developed at the age of 17 was deemed incurable, preventing him from becoming a Franciscan. Following this denial, he went to Rome and spent four years working at a hospice. He was dedicated to a life of prayer and penance, and St. Philip Neri provided him with spiritual guidance. He pursued priestly training and was ordained in 1584.

Camillus, who was disappointed with the care provided to the sick, decided to organize a group of Catholics to care for them both physically and spiritually. His order had members who worked in jails, hospitals, and the homes of the sick. Originally known as the "Fathers of a Good Death," the order's mission was to assist the dying in their spiritual salvation and to get them ready for final rites. The group, afterward known as the Order of the Ministers of the Sick or simply the "Camillians," was given papal approval in 1586 and was recognized as a religious order in 1591. They made a vow of unfailing service to the sick in addition to the customary vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

All of Camillus' life, he battled bodily infirmities. In addition to having sores and serious kidney issues, his leg wound did not heal for over five decades. But despite being unable to walk, he is claimed to have spent time with the sick by crawling from bed to bed.

He was severely ill for several years and left his position as the Order's superior in 1607. While still alive, Camillus participated in a general chapter of his order in Rome in 1613 and paid many of their hospitals a final visit. When Camillus realized he had a terminal illness, he said, “I rejoice in what has been told to me. We shall go into the house of the Lord.”

St. Camillus died on July 14, 1614, after delivering his final instructions to his fellow Ministers of the Sick. In 1746, Benedict XIV canonized him. Pope Leo XIII named him, together with St. John of God, the patron saint of the ill, and Pope Pius XI named him the patron saint of nurses and nursing groups. Saint Camillus' feast day is observed by the Catholic Church in the United States on July 18, although in some other nations, it is observed on the day of his death, July 14.

Other Saints of the Day
Saint Cyrus of Carthage
Saint Justus
Saint Heraclas
Saint Optatian
Saint Ulrich