杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

Saint Camillus de Lellis founded the Order of Camillians, or Ministers to the Sick, over 400 years ago. Its identity has remained the same for over four centuries and finds its expression in the charism of mercy towards the sick.

杏MAP导航 Francis referred to this charism when he met with members of the Order in the Vatican on Monday. When sickness comes and upsets our lives, he said, 鈥渨e need a brother or sister beside us鈥�, someone who is 鈥渃ompassionate and competent, and who consoles and supports us鈥�.

Sharing the charism

The 杏MAP导航 praised the Members of the Camillian Charismatic Family for living their mission 鈥渋n an exemplary way鈥� by 鈥渁ssisting the sick, especially the poorest, in their bodily and spiritual needs, and teaching others the best way to serve them, for the benefit of the Church and of humanity鈥�.

All charisms, continued 杏MAP导航 Francis, are gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are meant to be shared with others. 鈥淥ver the years, you have endeavored to incarnate your charism faithfully鈥�, he continued, 鈥渢ranslating it into a multiplicity of apostolic works and pastoral service for the benefit of suffering humanity throughout the world鈥�.

The original charism

The original mission and charism of Saint Camillus, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, is today reflected in a "charismatic family鈥�, composed of religious, secular consecrated persons and laity. 鈥淎t the center remains the original charism, as a perennial source of light and inspiration, which is understood and embodied dynamically in different forms鈥�.    

The 杏MAP导航 reminded his listeners how Saint Camillus de Lellis asked his first religious communities to serve the sick "with the affection that a loving mother usually has for her only sick child鈥�. The two women's congregations that arose in the 19th century and the secular institutes founded in the last century, the 杏MAP导航 continued, 鈥渉ave given completeness to the expression of the charism of mercy towards the sick, enriching it with the markedly feminine qualities of love and care鈥�.

The importance of listening

杏MAP导航 Francis concluded by inviting the Camillian Charismatic Family to listen to one another, to the Holy Spirit, and 鈥渢o the many forms of suffering and poverty of humanity today鈥�. In this way, he said, you will shine with ever-new light, 鈥渁nd many young people from all over the world will feel drawn to it, and join you in continuing to bear witness to the tenderness of God鈥�.