St. Camillus de Lellis and the Sick

Last March 15, 2019, I was one of those who attended the 12 noon mass at San Pedro Cathedral in honor of St. Camillus de Lellis, the patron saint of the sick, doctors, nurses and hospitals. His 400-year-old heart relic was in the cathedral that day for prayer and veneration.

During the mass, the presiding priest in his homily said that St. Camillus heart relic visited us because God loves us so much and that He wants us to be healed. Furthermore, the Camillian priest shared that healing should lead to conversion of one’s self, heeding for God’s will and serving others. In closing, he uttered that as one venerate on the heart relic the above thoughts should be in mind.

Right after the mass I was able to touch the heart relic and prayed for healing not only for myself but also for my family members and friends who are ill.

Later on as I reflect on the message of the homily, I realize that the Lord is telling me to make St. Camillus compassion for the sick as my model in caring for my aunt. My aunt, the older sister of my mother who is 70 years old and living with us for years has hypertension and recently is suffering from memory lapses. Most of the time I took care of her meals and medicine making sure that she takes them.

I am thankful for the visit of St. Camillus heart relic as it reminds me to be more attentive not only on the needs of my aunt but also to other members of my family and friends in times of sickness. Another realization I had is that it is important for anybody who is sick to have a strong support group and that should be the family.

On the other hand, sick people sometimes are difficult to be with. It is on those moments where the one who is caring for them should be reminded on the words of St. Camillus who said that “the poor and the sick are the heart of God and that in serving them we serve Jesus Christ”. Thus, one should possess the Camillian attitude of taking good care of the infirm.

For those who are sick or those who are attending the unwell, may we always seek for the intercession of St. Camillus. Let us also be reminded that only through our faith that one will be healed and be guided in caring for the sick by God’s grace.

“The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.” – Hubert H. Humphrey