The Camillian Order: History, Mission and Heritage

The Order of Clerics Regular Ministers of the Infirm, more commonly known as the Order of Camillians, is a Catholic religious order founded in 1582 by Saint Camillus de Lellis . Dedicated to the care of the sick and dying, the order played a central role in the evolution of hospital medicine and nursing in Renaissance Europe. The red cross, the distinctive symbol of the Camillians, reflects their total commitment to those who suffer, especially the most destitute. This article examines in detail the history, mission, and influence of this religious order throughout the centuries.

Foundation context

The Camillian Order was founded at a time when the European health system was rudimentary, with hospitals often places of misery, poorly organized and severely lacking in qualified personnel. The sick were often left in deplorable conditions, without adequate care or spiritual attention. It was in this context that Camillus de Lellis, after having himself suffered from a chronic injury and having observed the deficiencies of care in the hospitals of Rome, felt called to a special mission.

After being treated at the Saint-Jacques-des-Incurables hospital, Camille noticed the general indifference towards the sick, who were often abandoned or mistreated. Convinced that each patient should be cared for with the same devotion as if he were Christ himself, he decided to found a brotherhood of religious brothers dedicated to the physical and spiritual care of patients. His initiative was part of a Catholic reform movement, which sought to renew Christian charity and redefine the way the Church approached social problems.

Relic of Saint Camille de Lellis on relics.es

Official foundation and papal approval

In 1582, Camillus de Lellis, surrounded by a few companions, launched the confraternity in Rome with the aim of providing medical and spiritual assistance to the sick. In 1586, Pope Sixtus V gave his official approval to the community, allowing the order to take shape. A few years later, in 1591, Pope Gregory XIV gave the order its status as Clerics Regular, which meant that members had to take the traditional vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, as well as a fourth vow: to serve the sick, even at the risk of their own lives.

The members of the order, called Camillians, took this commitment seriously, especially during the epidemics of plague and other contagious diseases that frequently raged in Europe. The red cross sewn on their religious habit quickly became a symbol of relief and hope for the sick.

Mission and charism of the Order

The Order of Camillians is deeply rooted in the vocation of serving the sick and dying. Their mission is based on two fundamental pillars: offering medical and material care to the sick, while providing spiritual support. This holistic approach, where the care of the body and the soul are inseparable, is an integral part of their charism.

Medical care and materials

From its founding, the Order of Camillians dedicated itself to improving the conditions of the sick, particularly in hospitals where care was often inadequate. Camille de Lellis, having himself experienced the neglect and deficiencies of the healthcare system, was driven by the desire to transform these institutions into places of healing and human dignity. The Order distinguished itself by a very innovative approach for the time, combining compassion and competence.

The Camillians did not simply respond to the immediate needs of the sick: they sought to offer them the best possible care, emphasizing hygiene, nutrition, comfort and the organization of nursing work. In this way, they greatly contributed to the professionalization of health care in 16th and 17th century Europe. They established strict rules to ensure cleanliness, prevent infections and organize care systematically, which helped reduce mortality rates in the hospitals run by the Order.

Spiritual support

The second dimension of their mission, just as essential, was spiritual accompaniment. Camillus de Lellis taught that each sick person should be treated as if he were Christ himself. This vision inspired by the Gospel gave care a transcendent dimension. The Camillians brought spiritual consolation to the sick, giving them the strength to endure suffering. They also ensured that the dying could receive the sacraments, in order to prepare their souls to meet God.

Spiritual support took many forms: prayers, sacraments, spiritual counseling, and comfort. The Camillians were often seen as messengers of mercy, offering both practical help and a comforting presence in life’s most difficult moments. By integrating both aspects—physical and spiritual—into their approach, they developed a humanistic and comprehensive vision of health that still resonates today.

The fourth vow: To serve at the risk of one's life

A distinctive and heroic aspect of the Camillian Order is their fourth vow, unique in religious life: to serve the sick "at the risk of their own lives." This vow embodies a form of total self-denial, a boundless dedication to helping the most vulnerable. The Camillians have thus committed themselves not to flee in the face of danger, and to come to the aid of the sick, even in the most extreme conditions.

This vow took on particular significance during the great epidemics that ravaged Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries, such as the plague, cholera, and other contagious diseases. While many fled these scourges, the Camillians voluntarily went to the affected areas to care for the sick, despite the risk of infection. Many Camillian brothers paid with their lives for this fidelity to their mission. During these epidemics, the Order became a symbol of courage and dedication, and members who succumbed to illness were considered martyrs of Christian charity.

A model of humanity

One of the founding elements of the Camillian charism is the idea that Christian love must be expressed through concrete actions, a notion central to the teachings of Saint Camillus de Lellis. For him, serving the sick was not only a religious duty, but an act of personal and community transformation. By caring for the poorest and most suffering, the Camillians sought to manifest God's love for all humanity, especially the marginalized.

This ideal of humanity was reflected in their treatment of the sick. At a time when hospitals were often places of neglect and suffering, the Camillians sought to restore the dignity of patients, to ensure that each person felt heard, loved and respected. Their approach was resolutely humanist and anticipated, in many ways, modern values ​​of respect for the person in medical care.

Development of the Order and international expansion

After the death of Camillus de Lellis in 1614, the order continued to grow and expand beyond the Italian borders. From the beginning of the 17th century, the Camillians opened houses in Spain, France, Germany and Poland. Each new foundation was accompanied by the creation of hospitals or care institutions. The work of the order in these countries was not limited only to hospitals, but also included assistance to victims of wars and natural disasters.

Camillian spirituality, focused on serving the poorest and promoting human dignity, attracted many vocations. The Camillians played a pioneering role in the training of hospital staff, thus helping to professionalize medical care at a time when this task was often left to poorly trained volunteers.

The Camillians and the evolution of hospital care

The Camillian Order played a crucial role in the transformation of hospital care in Europe from the 16th century onwards. At a time when hospitals were often places of neglect, squalor and despair, the Camillians introduced significant reforms that served as models for many religious and secular institutions. Their contribution to the evolution of hospital care was based on a holistic vision of health care, integrating cleanliness, organisation and spirituality into the care of the sick.

1. Cleanliness and hygiene reforms

One of the first major reforms introduced by the Camillians was the emphasis on cleanliness and hygiene in hospitals. At a time when infections were spreading rapidly and medical practices were lacking in rigor, the Camillians understood the importance of maintaining strict sanitary conditions to prevent the spread of disease.

The hospitals run by the order became examples of cleanliness, which helped limit the spread of infections, especially in the context of major epidemics such as the plague and cholera. They also introduced strict hygiene standards for medical staff, a principle that was later adopted by other religious orders and, more widely, by civil hospital institutions.

The Camillians were often the first to clean the spaces where the sick were treated and to disinfect the rudimentary medical instruments of the time, a process essential in the fight against infections. Although their practices predated Louis Pasteur's discovery of microbes, their empirical observations and dedication to hygiene helped save many lives.

2. Organization of hospital care

The Camillian order also introduced reforms in the organization of health care, which transformed hospitals from simple places of passive charity into active and well-structured institutions of care. Before the arrival of the Camillians, hospitals were often poorly managed, with little distinction between types of patients and little attention paid to the efficient management of medical resources.

Under the influence of the Camillians, hospitals adopted a much more structured approach. Patients were classified according to the severity of their condition and their specific needs, so that care could be organized more efficiently. This marked the beginning of a differentiation of services according to pathologies and needs, a system that continues today.

The Camillians also took care of the training of hospital staff. They insisted on the need to train nurses, whether religious or lay, so that they would be competent not only in physical care but also in the psychological and spiritual support of the sick. This emphasis on competence and professional training contributed to the birth of modern nursing.

3. Humanistic treatment of the sick

The Camillians also brought about a fundamental change in the way the sick were treated, both physically and morally. At a time when hospitals were often places of suffering and abandonment, where the sick were sometimes left to die without support, the Camillians reintroduced the notion of human dignity at the heart of care.

For Camille de Lellis, the founder of the Order, every sick person was to be treated as if they were Christ himself. This profoundly Christian perspective revolutionized the way in which the sick were perceived. They were no longer bodies to be cared for, but complete human beings, with physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Thus, each patient received not only medical care, but also moral and spiritual support, which allowed them to face the illness with greater courage and dignity.

Another Camillian innovation was the emphasis on the spiritual care of the sick, especially the dying. The Camillians ensured that the dying received the last rites and were surrounded by prayer and comfort, ensuring that their departure from this world would be peaceful and serene. This concern for palliative care, long before the concept became central to modern medicine, was a true revolution in health care at the time.

4. A model for modern hospitals

Thanks to these reforms, the Camillian hospitals became models for other hospital institutions, both religious and secular. Their system of organization, their emphasis on hygiene, and above all their human and spiritual approach to care were adopted throughout Europe, profoundly influencing the evolution of hospital care over the centuries.

Moreover, the Camillians' influence was not limited to religious hospitals. Their innovative practices contributed greatly to the transformation of hospital care in public institutions. Their emphasis on hygiene and the organization of care inspired the medical reforms that would mark the 19th century, notably with the advent of modern nursing care thanks to figures such as Florence Nightingale, who took up many of the principles put in place by the Camillians.

5. The Camillian legacy in palliative care

Even today, the influence of the Camillians is felt, particularly in the field of palliative care. The modern concept of palliative care, which aims to alleviate the physical, emotional and spiritual suffering of people at the end of life, has its roots in the holistic approach developed by the Camillians as early as the 16th century. They were among the first to recognize that the sick, and especially those in the terminal phase, need care that goes beyond simple medical treatment.

The Order continues to operate hospitals, hospices and rehabilitation facilities around the world, continuing the legacy of Saint Camillus de Lellis in the health field. The Camillians remain faithful to their mission of providing comprehensive care, treating not only illness but also accompanying patients on spiritual, emotional and social levels.

The Contemporary Legacy of the Order

Today, the Camillian Order is still active in over 40 countries around the world. They operate hospitals, hospices, retirement homes, and social welfare services. Their mission has not changed: they continue to serve the sick, the poor, and the marginalized, and they remain faithful to the compassionate spirit of their founder.

The legacy of Camille de Lellis is also perpetuated by several female congregations, such as the "Camillian Sisters", founded to extend the order's mission to the sick. These groups of nuns work in collaboration with the Camillians in many institutions.

In addition to their hospital services, the Camillians are also present in areas of humanitarian crisis, such as during recent epidemics, natural disasters, and war situations. Their dedication to serving "at the risk of their own lives" remains a fundamental element of their charism.

Conclusion

The Camillian Order is a model of Christian commitment to health care. Founded at a time when charity for the sick was rare, this religious order redefined the role of the Church in hospital care, combining compassion, spirituality and medical expertise. By caring for the sick as if they were serving Christ himself, the Camillians have left an indelible mark on the history of medicine and Christian charity. Today, their mission remains more relevant than ever in a world where health and humanitarian crises require a response that is both humanitarian and spiritual.

Sources

• Forni, Fiorenzo. Saint Camillus de Lellis and the Order of the Camillians . Mediaspaul, 1992.

• Brodé, Antoine. The Camillians: Missionaries of Hospitaller Charity . Les Éditions du Cerf, 1987.

• Galli, Emilio. History of the Order of Clerics Regular Ministers of the Infirm . Apostolate of Editions, 1969.

• Salvini, Luigi. Camille de Lellis and the Camillians: Pioneers of Modern Health Care . Vatican Press, 1950.

• Butler, Alban. Lives of the Saints . Benziger Brothers, 1956.