MATI, Davao Oriental, July 20, 2011―St. Camillus Hospital in Madang, Mati City demonstrated the unique form of charity lived out by St. Camillus de Lellis through songs and dances in celebration of the 379th death anniversary/feast day of their patron saint and founder of the Camillian Order, now known as the Ministers of the Infirm (MI), last July 14.
Four departments of the hospital interpreted the life, conversion, calling, and relevance of St. Camillus to today’s world, particularly in the diocese of Mati. The General Services, Administrative, Nursing & Medical, and Community Based Health Care Program (CBHCP) sections colorfully created their own artistic versions of Camillian Spirituality through combined song, dance, video, drama, and lighting effects. Comical portions and audience cheers and laughter balanced the seriousness of the life of the soldier-gambler-turned priest-saint.
Prizes were awarded to all four departments that depicted the saint’s living charism of compassionate charity to the sick, after he himself had experienced deep pain and isolation as a wounded sick person, hankering for a caring, healing touch. Not finding priests who focused on the special needs of the sick and the dying, Camillus decided to be one and founded a community dedicated to the ministry of the infirm.
The MI community describes their spirituality as "Seeing Christ in the sick, Being Christ for the sick."
Fr. Angel V. Crisostomo, MI, hospital director, explained that the charism or spirituality of their founder was truly alive, not just in their own community, but among their associates and friends. He described their charism as “a new school of charity for the sick, open to everyone who attends with deep, sincere, heartfelt care for the sick anywhere, near or far, living out the compassion of Jesus for the sick, so that total well-being is given to the sick person.”
Fr. Crisostomo further announced that their congregation in Rome is currently preparing needed documents to be submitted to the Vatican for the purpose of recognizing St. Camillus as a Doctor of the Church because of his new school of charity specially directed to the sick. St. Camillus is well remembered for his words: “I wish I had a hundred arms to do more for the sick.”
Hospital staff and visitors had their chance to share their views on the Camillian spirituality during the Triduum Masses from July 11-13, 2011. In one sharing session, anesthesiologist Dra. Delia Mayol said “Medicines can kill germs, but to totally heal the person, you need love and compassion.”
"God goes straight through crooked lines,” Bishop Patricio H. Alo said of the Sinner-turned-Saint during the Eucharistic Celebration, adding that “St. Camillus teaches us service from the heart and to do good deeds without expecting something in return. Like other great evangelizers, his example was founded on the word of God, as we read in Matthew chapter 25: I was sick and you visited me…whatever you did to the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.” (Sr. Marietta Alo, OND)
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