Camillians - Order of St Camillus (OSCam)

The Order of St.Camillus composed of brothers and priests, is a religious Order dedicated to the apostolate of the sick.

"We are committed with a fourth vow to the ministry of mercy towards the sick, with the risk of our lives. In the presence of Christ in the sick and in those who serve them in his name, we find the source of our spirituality". (From the Constitution).

The Founder St Camillus was born in Bucchianico (Italy) in 1550. In Rome, in 1591 he surrounded himself of a group of pious men, available to help him to care for the sick and the poor who were living at the “edges of the society” at the time. These "pious men" distinguished themselves in a particular way in the assistance of the plague victims, when many religious gave their lives as martyrs of charity.

St Camillus greatly emphasized total patient care, often combining the role of nurse and chaplain and brought together a community of priests and brothers for the service of the sick.

He was the first to use the red cross as a symbol of charity and has been declared by the Church as the patron of the sick and nurses, as well as protector of hospitals.

Today the spirit of St.Camillus, inspires the Camillians to minister to the physical, mental, social and spiritual needs of the sick in 28 countries around the world. Presently the members of the Order, 1080 religious, priests and brothers, are involved in a variety of ministries.

In this last century the Order has established some health care institutions for special categories of sick people: the elderly, those affected by tuberculosis and leprosy, the drug addicts and the Aids infected.

Their mission, in our present time, is to instil a Christian spirit into hospitals and health care workers, and creating a new Gospel-based health care culture in the world of today.

The Camillians were introduced to Australia in 1963, when four religious came from Ireland to begin their apostolate of the sick in Perth, West Australia. Their work has grown to include chaplaincy services in Perth’s major hospitals and parish ministry in Subiaco.

IN IRELAND

The candidate starts his formation program by attending an inter-congregational course with other religious students. The purpose of this course is to give the person an introduction into the various aspects of the religious life.

After this the person may apply and once accepted may begin the Novitiate which culminates with the temporary profession of the vows.

After the Novitiate the candidate may be involved in a professional training, such as nursing, or he may begin his formal studies designed to prepare him for ordination.

The formation program will culminate with the perpetual profession of the religious vows for the brothers and with ordination for the priests.

IN THE PHILIPPINES

The Camillian formation program in the Philippines follows a three-fold path:

The Collegiate: a four-year academic work coupled with human development training and deepening of motivation in religious life.

The Novitiate: a period of religious-spiritual formation that initiates the candidates for a life of service to the sick and towards religious life. This culminates in the temporary profession of the vows of chastity, poverty, obedience and service to the sick.

The Scholasticate: a period of theological and pastoral formation – four years of training in academics, religious formation and practical involvement in preparation for brotherhood or priesthood.

A year of pastoral training in the apostolate is undertaken during the Pastoral Year which comes after the four-year academic training. The training culminates with the perpetual profession of vows and ordination to the priesthood.

For Australia:

Fr Sean Bredin OSCam
Camillian Community
9 Reserve Street
Wembley WA 6014
Telephone: 08 9346 6000 (Holywood Hospital)
Facsimile: 08 9284 0986

Email oscperth@starwon.com.au

From September 2002:

Camillian Vocations Director
Sacred Heart Parish
14 Ralph Street
WESTMEAD NSW 2145
Telephone: 02 9635 9262
Facsimile: 02 9633 9813

For the Philippines:

The Vocation Director
St Camillus College Seminary
MCPO Box 253
1800 Marikina City MM
Philippines
Telephone: 02 9415 194
Facsimile: 02 9415 196

Email sccsc@pacific.net.ph