On Saturday, June 29, 2024, on the occasion of the commemoration of the 278th anniversary of the canonization of St. Camillus, the First World Day of Prayer for Camillian Vocations was solemnly inaugurated and celebrated, with the theme: “Fishers of Men in the Sea of Charity.”
Present were various religious men and women including: Fr. Baby Ellickal, General Consultor for Formation; Fr. Pedro Tramontin, Superior General of the Ministers of the Infirm, connected via streaming; Mother Zélia Andrighetti, Superior General of the Sisters “Daughters of St. Camillus”; Sister Catherine Wanga, General Councilor of the Sisters “Ministers of the Infirm”; Mother Lurdes Calderon Flores, Superior General of the “Handmaids of the Incarnation”; Luisa Muston, President General of the Missionaries of the Infirm “Christ Hope,” also several religious men and women from the great Camillian Charismatic Family.

The surprise presence of Archbishop Prosper Kontiebo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Ouagadougou, who, in the morning, had received the pallium from Pope Francis, was welcome.

The event was held at the General House of the Daughters of St. Camillus in Grottaferrata (RM) and broadcast live on their YouTube channel.
The celebration, which began at 5:30 p.m., was introduced by the recitation of the meditated Holy Rosary for Camillian vocations, animated by the Daughters of St. Camillus.

At the end of the communal Marian prayer, the first part of the program began with the report of the coordinator for vocation formation and animation – Europe Region, Fr. Sergio Palumbo.

Fr. Palumbo, in his speech, emphasized that we become fishers of men with prayer and with the deep conviction that vocations are first and foremost a gift from the Lord, the fruit above all of our bent knees, and not only of our individual abilities. But he also emphasized the importance of praying for the specific Camillian vocation, that is, asking the Lord to guard the call each consecrated person has received to serve the sick with “more heart in his hands” and “with the tenderness of a mother,” in the varied world of health care, following the example of St. Camillus de Lellis.

“The Celebrations of this first World Day,” as Fr. Palumbo remarked, “do not end today, but give the start to a series of initiatives and programming that will see the variegated Camillian community as protagonists in the coming Jubilee 2025.
In order to give shape and concreteness to the possible initiatives listed in his speech, the coordinator for formation Europe Region, announced that soon the Central Commission will be enriched by the inclusion of the members responsible for the formation of the Camillian Charismatic Family.

“If it is true that union is strength,” Fr. Palumbo concluded, “it is, however, also true that a desirable collaboration strengthens it.
Subsequently Fr. Baby Ellickal MI, addressed the assembly with words of gratitude and thankfulness to the Lord for the gift of the Camillian Charism, highlighting the active and valuable collaboration of all the members of the Central Commission for having organized the event in the attention to detail. He finally extended greetings to Sister Lucia Walker, Mother General of the Congregation of the Ministers of the Infirm, and Ms. Anita Ennis, President of the Camillian Lay Family, who were absent for pastoral reasons.

Fr. Baby, in thanking all the participants in attendance and remotely, expressed feelings of gratitude to Mother Zelia and Sister Laura Cortese, Vicar General of the Daughters of St. Camillus, for the hospitality and logistical organization of the day. as well as to Rev. Fr. Antonio Marzano, Provincial Superior, Fr. Sergio Palumbo, Rev. Fr. Walter Vinci and the Roman Province for their work, availability and financial contribution for the printing of the materials necessary for the celebration of the First Day dedicated to prayer for Camillian vocations.

Lastly, sincere appreciation went to all the Provincials, Superior Delegates and Community Superiors for making the event, a memorable and meaningful occasion for the Great Camillian Charismatic Family.

Next, the Mothers General intervened, each expressing a lively enthusiasm for the initiative and sincere appreciation to the Central Commission.

In particular, Mother Zelia thanked “the Lord for having given the inspiration to establish this World Day of Prayer for Camillian Vocations, today the first ever, which saw the entire Camillian Charismatic Family united in communion to celebrate the great gift of vocation and to pray with one voice and one heart, so that other young people may respond to the Lord who does not tire of calling “fishers of men in the sea of Charity.”
Fr. Felice De Miranda MI spoke with a greeting on behalf of the Order of the Ministers of the Infirm.

Finally, Fr. Walter Vinci MI, Postulator General of the Order, presented the logo, explaining its meaning (available in detail in the booklet: “Thematic Insight,” sent to the entire Camillian Charismatic Family). The logo was then officially handed over to the Superiors General, and to Brother Paul Kabore, General Consultor for Missions on behalf of the Order, during the Eucharistic Concelebration presided over by Bishop Prosper Kontiebo.

We continue to thank the Lord for our consecration to the service of the sick and pray for the gift of perseverance in witnessing His merciful love. “Send, Lord, laborers to Your harvest!”

Fr. Baby Ellickal MI