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Get to know some of our brothers and priests and what they have to say about their Camillian vocation. Today, as yesterday, our work and our life centers on serving the sick, seeing Christ in them and serving them as Christ himself would serve them.
Brother Nels "Our
charism which comes from God is to care for the poor and the sick and the
suffering. The Fr. Lou
Brother Mario “God’s
use of human instruments in his plan to call one to his service in a
particular way continues to Father JoJo “A member of the Far East Province, I have been in the United
States for a number of years training Fr. Richard K. “A native of Wisconsin, I knew some of the Camillians in Milwaukee and Racine. After entering the Order, in 1949 I was sent to Italy for my novitiate year and continued my theology studies in Rome. I was ordained at the age of 31, at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome with two other men. It was a very special privilege. As a former hospital chaplain, pastor of the Glen and St. Mary’s, and Provincial, I have had many rich and diverse opportunities to serve our Lord in the sick during the course of my religious life.” Father Scott I am happy to be a Camillian, and I believe that the Lord would say to me – as He did to Saint Camillus - ‘This is my work not yours.’ I was in medical school when I first understood that the Lord was calling me to the priesthood. After 8 years, a time marked by a bit of frustration and more than one discouraging word, the Spirit led me to the Camillians. I was 35 and already a Family Physician. I felt very much at home when I first visited Milwaukee in 1996, and I became a member of the Camillian community soon thereafter. I finished an MA in Sacred Scripture at Sacred Heart School of Theology and worked as a physician during my prenovitiate. In 1998 I did my novitiate in Sao Paolo, Brazil and spent 2 months doing missionary work in the Amazon. What a great experience! During temporary vows I pursued theology studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Living in the heart of the Church so near to many of the places that played an important role in the life of St. Camillus was a great privilege. It also allowed me to see just how international the Camillians are. I professed perpetual vows in Milwaukee on May 24, 2003 and was ordained a deacon the next day. Finally, I was ordained a priest by Bishop J. Kevin Boland in Augusta, Georgia at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church. This last step allowed me to move that much closer to fulfilling what I have for so long discerned as my vocation: to serve God and my neighbor as a Camillian priest and physician. I will have an opportunity to do just that as I coordinate the development of the Camillian Task Force: missionary teams of lay people and clergy that will be sent to help meet the medical and pastoral needs of the underserved and those in difficult situations (natural catastrophes, etc.). Yes, God is good. I am quite happy as a Camillian. Praise the Lord! St. Camillus, intercede for us. Mary, Mother of God, protect us and teach us wisdom. Fr. Carlo
Brother Herman “Born
in 1920, I am approaching 60 years in vows with the Order and I feel I have
Father Albie
Brother Roland “I have been a Camillian for over 40
years now and have served as an LPN in our Health Center, cared Br. Allan
Father Joe
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response to that charism depends upon the
individual. In religious community, you are opening yourself to
panoramic opportunities to serve the Lord; there are so many avenues open
to you in outreach to the sick and the poor. At first our province
focused on the care of elderly and homeless sick men but, as we changed
and as the world changed, we discovered other avenues to serve the poor
sick. We are diverse in response to our vocation; we must be open to
what God is asking of us. In community, we pray together, we eat
together, we share together; we don't always get along but we strive to do
our best together. But every day is enriched by the love we have for
God. Why would someone enter into a community and take vows of
poverty, chastity, obedience and especially service to the sick even at
the expense of one's own life? Because of their great love for God
and for other human beings."
"I had trained as a physician
specialized in Sports Medicine and Physical Rehabilitation. I had
achieved what I wanted to achieve professionally and was making strides as a
clinician, researcher and teacher. But something was missing and I felt
a void in my life. I was too concerned about my career and well
being. When the call came to follow Christ in a new way, I assumed it was as
a priest. With this in mind, I searched for the manner to live out this
call. I had very little information about the Camillians and their
mission in healthcare but followed through with some initial contacts.
Today, I look back and see the hand of God very much at work. In some of
my recent responsibilities, I have touched the life of Camillians in some of
the poorest areas of the world and have felt such a sense of vitality from the
men and women, religious and lay, strongly committed to the ideals of St.
Camillus. In my present responsibilities, I work with our Retreat Center
in Durward's Glen and the two parishes the Province pastors. My life as
a Camillian is a fulfilling one and I look forward to where the Lord continues
to lead me."
amaze me.
to become a Clinical Pastoral
Education (CPE) supervisor.
"St.
Camillus once said, ‘the poor and the sick are the heart of God.’
done
my part.
“One
of the tests of my vocation is my honest response to the question: ‘Is
the life I am living the same as the life God wants to live in me?’
for
retired religious, had varied responsibilities for several years at
Durward’s Glen and now I am retired but help around a bit.
“Having lived on the West Coast, I was a university
administrator and also volunteered for a hospice which primarily served persons with
HIV.