by Bro. Mario Crivello, M.I.
USA Camillians
May 1 is widely recognized as International Workers Day. It is also recognized in the Christian world as the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, a title given to the foster father of Jesus Christ by Pope Pius XII, a late pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Joseph was chosen as the model for all working men and women in all occupations and professions. He valued his work as a carpenter very highly and was committed to it because it not only provided support for his family but benefited other members of society as well. He was very conscientious and considered it an honor to use and develop his God-given gifts to the fullest. He faithfully carried out the ordinary duties of life.
Carpentry was considered an ordinary kind of occupation at the time. However, no greater compliment could be paid to it and the value of work than for the Son of God, Jesus Christ, to work side by side with His foster father in his carpenter shop in Nazareth, His native town. Later, when Jesus’ public ministry took Him to the synagogue in Nazareth, the townspeople expressed their astonishment when He began to teach there, by saying, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son...?” (Matt. 13:54, 55).
Jesus appreciated and had great respect for human work. He believed in the dignity of work and wished to teach us about developing a strong commitment to it.
Scripture abounds with references to the value and necessity of work. The apostle Paul addressed it many times, but most positively this way: “Whatever the task, work heartily, as serving the Lord, knowing that from the Lord you’ll receive the inheritance as your reward” (Col. 3:23-24).
On May 25, we celebrate the 474th anniversary of the birthday of St. Camillus (b.1550). As a young man he misused his gifts, following in the footsteps of his father as a mercenary soldier, a soldier of fortune who fought for money. Following a powerful spiritual conversion, he responded to a call from God and committed his talents to serving the poor and the sick for the rest of his life. He founded a religious order of men, the Ministers of the Infirm (Sick), each of whom professed the three traditional vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience and a fourth vow to serve the sick even if it endangered his life.
The fire of Camillus’ love, compassion, and empathy for the suffering was ignited and sustained within him by Christ’s words when He said, “Insofar as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine you did it to me” (Matt.25:40). This might be a source of motivation for us when our sensitivity to the needs and comfort of the sick and elderly appears to be waning.
St. Camillus was honored for his commitment by being named as Patron of the Sick and Hospitals on June 22, 1886, by Pope Leo XIII, and named as Model and Protector of all who nurse the sick on August 28, 1930, by Pope Pius XI.
It would be beneficial to reflect often on the lives of Jesus, St. Joseph, and St. Camillus and attempt to enter into their spirit of commitment as well as adopt them as models to look to for inspiration.
Some may feel that the work one does is unimportant. All roles here are important because they serve a vital function. And that is to see to the well-being of those whom we serve - our sick and our elderly.
May 6 - 12, 2024, is National Nurses’ Week. No occupation or profession is closer to the heart of Jesus Christ and St. Camillus than caring for the sick in a nursing capacity. Accounts of Christ’s physical and spiritual healings and His promotion of health in the Gospels are numerous. St. Camillus carried out reforms in the hospitals and revolutionized nursing care in the 16th Century in order to heal and promote health as well. We honor, respect, and admire nurses and those who support them in their commitment to providing loving care and comfort to the most distressed among us.
The following Nurses’ Prayer of Compassion can be adopted and recited often by all of us as we serve the people of God in our different roles:
LORD, help me,
To bring Comfort where there is pain
Courage where there is fear
Hope where there is despair
Acceptance when the end is near
A touch gentle with
Tenderness, Patience,
And Love.