The Clerci Regulari Ministeri Infirmaribus (Clerics Regular, Ministers to the Sick) or the Camillians, as they are more commonly known, are a Roman Catholic religious Order founded in 1582 by Saint Camillus de Lellis. A large red cross worn as a distinguishing badge for members to wear upon their black cassocks was later adopted as an international symbol of medical care used by the International Red Cross. Having spent part of his early adult life as a soldier, Camillus de Lellis had sustained a leg wound that wouldn't heal, and was considered incurable. He sought admission to the Capuchin Religious Order, and was accepted as a candidate. Assigned to take up residence in a hospital dedicated to the care of the incurably ill, he noticed the poor care given to these patients. In time, he established the Order of Clerics Regular, Ministers to the Sick, who were charged with providing care for the sick, and to soldiers on the battlefield. The Order was approved by Pope Sixtus V in 1586, and Pope Gregory XIV gave them the status of an Order in 1591. Members of the Order also devoted themselves to the care of victims of the bubonic plague, and supernatural healings associated with his care of these victims later led to his canonization as a saint. The Order has provided care to patients with leprosy, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, as well as to victims of war. In 2006, the Order of Clerks Regular, Ministers to the Sick were divided into Ecclesiastical Provinces, which are the main level of geographical jurisdictions, some of which have Delegations or Foundations in other continents, with Europe divided into eleven Provinces and four Foundations, Asia with one Province, three Delegations and Four Foundations, Africa into two Delegations and five Foundations, Australia into one Delegation, and North America into one Province and one Foundation. The Order's work is largely among the poor, in developing countries, or in disaster areas.
Recommended Resources
Camillian Disaster Service International
CADIS is a humanitarian and development arm of the Order of the Ministers of the Inform, also known as the Camillians, a religious Catholic Order founded by Saint Camillus de Lellis in 1591. CADIS operates in disaster-prone countries, where it works in partnership with the local Church, where it is present, and with other humanitarian organizations on the ground, and through its regional offices.
http://www.cadisinternational.org/
The Order of the Ministers of the Infirm came to the Philippines in the 1970s, with the first Camillian Community in the Philippines established in Quezon City, under the Lombardo-Venetian Province, in 1975, which became part of the Vice-Province of Taiwan in 1976. In 1997, the Far East Province was established, including the Philippines and Taiwan. Its projects, campaigns, and action issues are discussed.
http://www.camillianphil.com/
The specialty of the Camillian charism is to serve the sick, which constitutes the essential aspect of the Order of Saint Camillus. The Congregation of the Daughters of Saint Camillus is an international missionary religious congregation founded in Rome in 1892, and currently working in nearly twenty countries throughout the world. Its vocations, a calendar of events, photo gallery, and contacts are presented.
http://daugthersofstcamillus-phils.com/
Ministers of the Inform: Camillian Religious
A short history of the Catholic Religious Order is presented, along with a biography of its founder, Camillus de Lellis. The basic values and mission of the Order is given, and the General Consulta of the Order are introduced. Its formation process is defined, and an overview of its health care services, ministries to the Third World, to victims of HIV/AIDS, its pastoral care services are discussed, and a variety of documents are available.
http://www.camilliani.org/en/
Order of Saint Camillus, Angl0-Irish Province
The history, ministries and mission of the Catholic Religious Order is given, and its communities within the Anglo-Irish Province are highlighted, which include its three communities in Ireland, and ministries in Australia and Uganda. Biographical information about its founder are included. Contacts within the community and a gallery of photographs are posted to the site.
http://www.orderofstcamillus.ie/
Saint Camillus Printing & Graphics
In support of the mission of the Order of Saint Camillus, the business offers offset and digital printing services, desktop publishing and design, mailing services, and promotional items, such as awards, bags and totes, calendars and planners, clocks and watches, food and candy items, games, toys, and a full clothing line, and other engraved promotional products. Contacts are given and quotes may be requested online.
http://www.stcamprinting.com/
Society of the Order of Saint Camillus, India
Camillians came to India in 1980 when the Venetian Province received permission to begin vocation promotion and formation in the Diocese of Manathavady in Kerala, and a seminary was inaugurated there in 1984, where the Order maintains a charism of mercy towards the sick. Its communities, members, and lay family are acknowledged, and a newsletter, booklets, books and other publications are available.
http://camilliansindia.org/
The Servants of Saint Camillus Disaster Relief Services is an integral part of the Camillian Disaster Service International (CADIS), the international disaster relief network of the Catholic Order of Saint Camillus. Members of CADIS respond as teams to man-made and natural disasters, offering pastoral care, health care, and humanitarian support. Its history, board of directors, and contacts are posted.
http://www.sosdrs.org/
