Lelli (Saint), Camillo De

Lelli (Saint), Camillo De founder of an order of Italian friars, was born at Bucchianico, May 25, 1550. An ulcer, resulting from his early vices, led him to enter a convent. The Franciscans rejected him, and he went to Rome, where he was received at the hospital of St. James. He speedily recovered, and was afterwards expelled for misconduct. In 1569 he enrolled himself among the troops of Venice, and after the close of the war, having been dismissed, hired out to the Capuchins of Manfredonio. He wished to become a monk, but was repulsed on all sides on account of his infirmity. He returned to the hospital of St. James, where this time his good conduct obtained for him the position of steward. Thinking that the diseases even then were not well treated at the hospitals, he completed his studies among the Jesuits, was made priest, and founded in 1584 the congregation of Clercs Regulars, especially intended for the care of the sick. This congregation, being approved by Sixtus V, March 8, 1586. was established as a religious order by Gregory XIV, October 15, 1591. St. Camillo de Lelli resigned his supervision in 1607, and was beatified by Benedict XVI in 1742. He died at Rome, July 14, 1614. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.