On 25 May, the Camillian Family commemorated the Martyrs of Charity across the globe – religious who, following the example of Saint Camillus de Lellis, gave their lives in service to the sick and the most vulnerable. This year, the occasion took on particular significance in the context of the tenth anniversary of CADIS International, whose celebratory theme – ‘A decade of compassion and empowerment: from crisis response to building resilient communities’ – highlights the relevance of the Camillian martyrs’ witness and the need to translate compassion into concrete actions in favour of those who suffer. As the President of CADIS International, Br. José Ignacio Santaolalla Sáez, recalled, the Martyrs of Charity still represent today “a living call” to be signs of hope, closeness and service in situations of greatest fragility.
Burkina Faso: charity that reaches out
Once again this year, CADIS Burkina Faso honoured the tradition by celebrating International CADIS Day through a day filled with solidarity and prayer.
The celebration began on the morning of May 25 with a visit to the deaf and mute children cared for at the Pavonian Fathers’ Centre in the municipality of Saaba, some ten kilometres from Ouagadougou. The visit was accompanied by the distribution of food supplies to the children, a tangible gesture of solidarity and sharing that embodied the spirit of the day.
In the afternoon and evening, the commemoration moved to the parish church of St Camillus in Dagnoin, where a solemn Mass in memory of the Camillian Martyrs of Charity was celebrated. It was presided by the Provincial Councillor, Fr Fabrice Damiba, together with the Camillian confreres.
The Holy Mass was attended by many faithful, including the members of CADIS Burkina Faso Association and the representatives of the various Camillian-inspired movements and associations. A significant contribution was also rendered by the novices and the scholastics, who led the liturgical singing, making the assembly’s participation more alive.
The day has united concrete service and prayer, two inseparable dimensions of the charism of St Camillus and the legacy left by the Martyrs of Charity.
Brazil: In the spirit of St Camillus and the Martyrs of Charity
On the same day, 25 May, the community of St Camillus in Belo Horizonte also held a significant celebration to mark the 476th anniversary of the birth of St Camillus de Lellis.
The occasion provided an opportunity to remember the founder of the Order of Ministers of the Sick, a model of merciful care and a champion of human dignity, especially that of the sick and the most vulnerable. At the same time, the commemoration of the Martyrs of Charity was also celebrated – men who transformed their lives into a radical witness of love and dedication to the service of the suffering.
The Eucharistic Celebration was presided by Monsignor Giulio, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Belo Horizonte, in the presence of numerous faithful and members of the local community. Gathered in prayer and gratitude, the participants gave thanks for the example left by St Camillus and his spiritual sons who, over the centuries, have lived out the fourth Camillian vow to the full, serving the sick even at the risk of their own lives.
A legacy that endures
The celebrations in Burkina Faso and Brazil bear witness to how the memory of the Martyrs of Charity continues to be a source of inspiration for Camillian communities around the world. Through prayer, service and concrete expression of solidarity with the most vulnerable, their example remains alive and relevant, pointing the way towards active compassion capable of transforming communities and generating hope even in the most challenging circumstances.
On the tenth anniversary of CADIS International, their legacy continues to remind us that true charity is not limited to immediate assistance, but is expressed in the choice to remain close to those who suffer, accompanying individuals and communities on journeys of healing, dignity and resilience.
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Photo credits: Camilliani Brasile, Camilliani Burkina Faso
