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O
ur
HISTORY
The story of St. Camillus began when
his mother, Camilla de Lellis, had her prayers answered and became
pregnant. While with child, she had a strange dream. She saw young
people wearing crosses on their chests, led by a taller person with
a cross. She worried it meant her son would lead a band of
thieves!
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Bucchianico
Italy, birthplace of St. Camillus
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Rome, Hospital
of Holy Spirit
Red Cross,
ceiling in chapel
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As Camillus grew up in Italy, he
watched his mother give food to the poor when they came to the de
Lellis home to beg. Initially he did not learn from his mother's
example. At the age of 18, Camillus became a soldier for hire,
fighting for the Venetians against the Turks. He was a gambler and
by 1574 was penniless. Living with a diseased leg contracted in
battle and dealing with his own sickness, he experienced a
conversion. He began devoting himself to the sick, was ordained,
and with two fellow priests, started the Ministers of the Sick. The
group became an Order and Pope Gregory XIV approved the use of the
red cross as the Order's symbol. In 1591, members of his Order were
sent to Hungry to minister to wounded troops, creating the first
field medical units. Thus began the association of the red cross
with helping the wounded. Camillus's mother had misinterpreted her
dream. Her son had not become a leader of thieves but the founder
of a holy Order that became the original 'red cross.' The man who
founded what would become the International Red Cross was present
during a battle where the Camillians were working. The group he
started continues to use this symbol, first used by St. Camillus.
Camillus died in 1614, was canonized in 1746, and was declared
patron of the sick as is St. John of God, and patron of nurses and
nursing groups. Today there are 1,100 Camillians worldwide.
Camillian
Priests and Brothers Throughout the World
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St. Camillus in the United States
In 1921, Fr. Mueller came to the USA to see land offered to the
Order as a gift. On his way, he happened to meet the Milwaukee
Archbishop who urged him to work in the greater Milwaukee area
instead. By 1923, St. Camillus brothers and priests were providing
care on S. 26th St. in Milwaukee. Land along Wisconsin Avenue was
purchased and in 1931 ground breaking took place for a facility
billed as a "Hospital for Men, specializing in the care of the
chronic and incurable." The facility opened in 1932. |
Pioneer
priests & brothers, 1923
1st building
of Order, S. 26th St., 1923
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Ground
breaking, Hospital for Men, 1931
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Cornerstone of
Hospital, 1931
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Construction
of Hospital, 1931
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Construction
of Hospital, 1931
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Completed St.
Camillus Hospital, 1932
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Lobby of St.
Camillus Hospital, 1932
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Blessed
Mother, Outdoor Statue, 1932
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Altar in
Hospital Chapel, 1932
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Original lobby
statue of St. Camillus
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Sisters of St.
Joan Antida from Italy, 1933
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Sisters
serving in Hospital, 1933 - 1967
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Pioneer staff,
Christmas 1934
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Famous picnics
on hospital grounds
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Pioneer staff,
Priests & Brothers of Order
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In 1940 a
north wing was added. Eventually, St. Camillus started to serve
women as well. St. Camillus Women's Guild was founded in 1956,
dedicated to bringing comfort and joy to the residents.
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Addition to
hospital - north wing, 1940-1964
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Women's Guild,
Established 1956
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Guild presents
check to Frs. Gilles/Anderson |
Resident
social event with Guild
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Addition to
hospital - south wing, 1967
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In 1958, a beautiful round Chapel was constructed along with a
70-bed addition. In the 1960's, a south wing was built adding
34 beds. The facility became the St. Camillus Health Center, a
188-bed long-term care facility. |
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In the
1980's, the San Camillo independent living area, assisted living
apartments and home health services were added. St. Camillus
quickly took its place as the premier home for seniors living in the
greater Milwaukee area. By 1992, a new St. Camillus Health center
was open and the original 1932 building was renovated for assisted
living. |
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San Camillo,
Retirement Living, 1986
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Court West,
Assisted Living, 1988
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St. Camillus
Health Center, 1992
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Aerial shot
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Aerial shot
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