Camillus de Lellis was born on May 25, 1550 in Bucchianico, Italy. His conception was accompanied by a prophetic dream of her mother Camilla who dreamt of a band of boys wearing Red Crosses on their chest marching around. This brought her anxiety thinking that her son might become a leader of a gang. She gave birth to Camillus when she was nearly 60 years old thus earning the title “Elizabeth” in their neighborhood. His father, John, was an official in the Royal army. When Camillus was at a young age her mother died and this sudden loss brought emptiness in him. He had a turbulent childhood and was regarded as “odd, loose, and bizarre.”

He joined the Venetian army when he was 17 and fought against the Turks. Unlike his father who demonstrated valor in his service, Camillus worked as a mercenary soldier joining the campaign of the highest bidder. His father died while they were on their way home after the Venetian campaign and “Camillus was even more heartbroken than at the death of his mother.” He was now alone.

He became addicted to gambling that resulted to his poverty to the point of begging. To add to his misery, he developed a sore in his left leg due to the long travels he had as a soldier. Yet, this sore would be significant in the development of Camillus’ love for the sick.

He was confined in St. James Hospital. While waiting for the cure, he was able to help around the hospital but was then thrown out because his passion for gambling and the strict discipline imposed upon him “threw him into open rebellion.”

Later on, he worked as a laborer in the Capuchin monastery in Manfredonia. He had a chance to talk with the Superior who told him that “God is everything, all the rest, nothing.” This remained in Camillus’ mind that led to his religious conversion. On Feb. 2, 1575 (Feast of the Purification of Our Lady), Camillus was “reborn in grace.” He realized his sinfulness and promised God to make amends for his sins. Determined to start a new life he entered the Capuchin novitiate, but not for long. He was again admitted to St. James Hospital because of the sore in his leg that would not heal. This prompted him to leave the Capuchins. He realized that God was calling him to another kind of life and that was to serve the sick.

He stayed in St. James Hospital for the third time and worked as a caregiver and later, he became its House Master/Director. He cared for the sick “like a mother who is caring for her only child who is ill.” He took St. Philip Neri as his Spiritual Director and Confessor who was also instrumental in building up Camillus’ resolve to serve the sick with all his life.

The harsh conditions of the sick which he himself experienced led him to form pious men dedicated to care for the sick. Eventually, he felt called to establish a religious congregation dedicated solely for this purpose but this was met with opposition. He was about to give up but the Lord Jesus Christ himself had reassured him. While he was in front of the image of the crucifix praying intensely, he saw the crucified Christ detached its hands from the cross, stretched his hands towards him as if to raise him up and told him “Why do you afflict yourself so incredulous one? Carry on and I shall help you. This work is mine, not yours.” This divine inspiration pushed him to establish The Ministers of the Sick.

The Ministers of the Sick (popularly known as Camillians) was then officially recognized in 1586 by Pope Sixtus V. The large Red Cross on their habit (which her mother dreamt of) became the symbol of the Order. Camillus, together with his members, served in the hospitals, assisted soldiers in the battlefield, and devoted himself to the victims of plague. He radically changed the view of serving the sick. The sick who were despised and neglected met in Camillus a caring hand and a compassionate heart. He established a “new school of charity.”

Even at the last stage of his life, he gave his heart in the service of the sick. On July 14, 1614, he breathed his last and surrendered his life to the Lord. He was beatified by Pope Benedict XIV in 1742, and canonized by him four years later in 1746. He was declared the Patron Saint of the Sick, Hospitals, Nurses, Doctors and Healthcare Workers. His Feast Day is on July 14.