Right in San Giovanni Rotondo, in the Valley of Hell (Manfredonia), while Camillo was preparing to transport material provisions to the Capuchin convent of Manfredonia, Father Angelo approached him with fatherly and admonishing words that touched him and made him reflect all night. The next day (February 2, 1575), the feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, as he was descending toward Manfredonia along the Valley of Hell, his conscience was deeply troubled as if he had been struck by lightning that threw him to the ground from his donkey. He beat his chest with a stone, asking God for forgiveness for his past life and deciding to do true penance.
Until that moment, he had let himself be guided by the impulses of his character and had always decided with his instinct and desires; he began to think that he needed God to make constructive decisions. Then he exclaimed: “no more world, no more world”, that is, I no longer want to be guided by my instinct in the search for true happiness. From now on, I will let the Holy Spirit inspire and completely reorient my life to its true purpose, to its original design. It was a moment of recovering values that he had never cultivated and lived before.
As we joyfully celebrate the 450th anniversary of the Conversion of our founder and initiator of the “new school of charity,” St. Camillus de Lellis, we are reminded of the transformative power of a change of heart and the profound impact it can have on our lives and the world in which we live.
The conversion of St. Camillus from a disoriented life to one of compassion and selfless service is an inspiring example for all who believe in the transformative power of God's mercy. In this jubilee, let us deepen the meaning of his conversion and draw lessons that will guide the common mission of caring for our “common home” in the spirit of ecological conversion.
Pope Francis draws our attention to the truth of the climate crisis. “[...] it is undeniable that the impact of climate change will increasingly affect the lives and families of many people. We will feel its effects in the areas of healthcare, sources of employment, access to resources, housing, forced migration, etc.” (Laudato si', 2). All these factors have a serious and sometimes irreversible impact on the integral health of the planet and its inhabitants.
In the spirit of St. Camillus, who turned away from his previous lifestyle to embrace a life of love and care for those in need and suffering because of our conscious refusal of the truth of the interconnectedness of creation, let us consider how we too can turn away from practices that harm our environment and embrace a more sustainable and ecologically responsible lifestyle.
Ecological conversion calls us to recognize the interconnectedness of all creation, God's immense gift to humanity, and to adopt lifestyles that promote environmental stewardship and justice. St. Camillus, with his commitment to the sick and suffering, exemplifies the essence of caring not only for individuals, but for the well-being of the entire community and the world.
As we embark on this journey toward the transformation of the heart received and lived by St. Camillus de Lellis, let us reflect on the ways in which we can contribute to the healing of our wounded planet. Whether it is building eco-resilient community projects, sustainable practices in our health missions, responsible use of resources, or advocacy for environmental justice, each of us has a role to play in promoting the integral health and well-being of the planet.
May this Jubilee be a catalyst for our personal and collective conversion to ecology and integral health, inspiring us to live in harmony with creation and to work for a more sustainable, compassionate, and healthy world.
We wish you all a blessed journey inspired by the Conversion of St. Camillus de Lellis!
