Divine Office

July 18

Saint Camillus de Lellis, Priest

Optional Memorial

St. Camillus de Lellis was born in 1550 in the Abruzzo area of Italy. At the age of sixteen, Camillus joined his father in the Venetian army. He worked for a Capuchin friary, but suffered from a leg wound and compulsive gambling. He traveled to Rome and worked at a hospital where he became a nurse and eventually director of the hospital. St. Philip Neri was his spiritual director, and with his permission at age 32, Camillus decided to become a priest. He went on to found a religious order focused on caring for the sick. The order established houses in many cities. St. Camillus and St. John of God are the co-patron saints of nurses. [1]

Written by Sarah Ciotti
Reviewed by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, STD
[1] Catholicpedia: The Original Catholic Encyclopedia (1917) for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. s.v. “St. Camillus de Lellis.”
Note: Optional Memorials and Commemorations are optional celebrations and, at present, we do not include content specific to these special days. This “About Today” is provided so that you can celebrate this Saint as you worship Christ.