St. Camillus was born in Bucchianico (Italy) in 1550. By a miracle of God’s grace, he went from being a rebellious, wayward youth and inveterate gambler to converting at the age of 25, consecrating his life to the care of the sick and the reform of health care. He founded the religious order of the Ministers of the Sick (Camillians) in the year 1582 and instilled into his followers the practice of religious perfection and heroic charity. The sick, so utterly neglected in those days, became his Supreme Master to be served and venerated as the suffering members of Christ’s body. He died on 14 July 1614 in Rome and he is the Patron of the sick and those who nurse the sick.

Fr. Luigi Tezza was born in Conegliano, Italy, on November 1, 1841. His family was morally healthy and practised their religion. His mother Catherine was a woman of rare quality who encouraged Luigi in spiritual life. Little Luigi learnt the skill of healing and giving comfort to the sick through his father Augustus, a doctor, who died when Luigi was nine years old. After having completed his secondary school studies in Padua, he entered the novitiate of the Camillian Fathers in Verona on 8th December 1856.

Judith Vannini was born in Rome Italy, on 7th July 1859. She was orphaned at the age of seven and was given shelter in the Conservatorio Torlonia, run by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent at Siena. As Judith was educated virtuously by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent, the charity of Christ soon impelled her to offer herself entirely to God. Judith was simple, righteous and a large-hearted soul, and the light of faith soon enabled her to give direction to her life. She wanted God to be her all and religious life to be her chosen path. But many obstacles were to stand in the way of her good intentions.

The speciality of the Camillian charism is to serve the sick even at the risk of our life. It constitutes the essential aspect of our mission. The healing activity of Jesus for the sick occupies a very large and essential part in the Gospel and it becomes a great sign of salvific mission of Jesus, our Messiah. Our mission is inseparably united with the Redemptive mission of Christ. Practising the works of mercy towards sick and the needy, the Daughters of St. Camillus are continuing the Ministry of Jesus as a healer.