Every year on March 24, the Church celebrates the Day of Missionary Martyrs—a time for reflection and prayer for all those who gave their lives for the Gospel and in service to the most vulnerable.

The date is not random: it marks the day in 1980 when Saint Óscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador, was assassinated while celebrating Mass, due to his commitment to defending the poor and the oppressed.

This day is not only a remembrance, but also a call to question our own vocation to justice and charity.

Martyrdom as a Witness of Justice

Many missionaries lost their lives because they chose to defend the weak, denounce injustice, and bring hope to the peripheries of the world. Their sacrifice is a testimony of faith lived with courage and integrity—a voice for the voiceless and an outstretched hand for those who suffer.

In a world marked by conflict, inequality, and violence, their memory is a powerful reminder: we cannot turn away from injustice. Each of us, in our daily context, is called to be a sign of hope and an instrument of peace.

The Camillian Charism: The Martyrdom of Charity

The Order of the Ministers of the Infirm (Camillians) is distinguished by its fourth vow: to assist the sick even at the risk of one’s own life. This radical commitment has taken the form of a true martyrdom—what the Camillian family calls the “martyrdom of charity.”

Throughout history, many Camillians have died serving the sick, especially during epidemics and health crises, choosing to remain at their side until the very end. Their witness reflects a love that goes beyond fear—a love that becomes total self-giving.

Brother Leonardo Grasso: A Modern Witness of the Martyrdom of Charity

One of the most recent examples of this is Brother Leonardo Grasso, a Camillian killed in December 2020 while assisting people in difficulty.

His story is that of a man who made a radical choice. After a successful career in business and travel, he decided at age 50 to dedicate his life to serving the sick. With a desire to live his faith through concrete help to the marginalized, he embraced the Camillian charism and founded the “Tenda di San Camillo” in Riposto (Sicily).

For 25 years, he welcomed and cared for people living with AIDS, the homeless, and those at the margins of society. His mission went far beyond medical care—he worked to restore dignity and hope to those abandoned by the world. With unconditional love, Brother Leonardo created a family for those who had none.

The Mission of the Tenda di San Camillo

For Brother Leonardo, the Tenda di San Camillo was more than a shelter—it was a true haven for the invisible. People with addictions, AIDS patients, and the homeless found medical care, a listening ear, and human warmth. Every day, he offered time and attention to anyone who walked through that door.

The Sacrifice and Legacy of Brother Leonardo

On December 5, 2020, Brother Leonardo was brutally killed in an arson attack set by a resident of the shelter. This tragic act deeply shook the Camillian community and all who knew him. Yet his martyrdom of charity did not end with his death—it lives on in those who continue his work.

His sacrifice reminds us that holiness is a daily journey made of small and great acts of love, especially toward the most fragile. His life testifies to a radical charity that does not retreat in the face of risk, but gives itself entirely.

Reflection: Our Role Today

To remember the missionary martyrs and the martyrs of charity is to ask ourselves how we are living the Gospel—whether we are willing to take risks for the vulnerable and how we can bring justice and hope to the spaces we inhabit.

This day is more than remembrance: it is a call to mission. To be witnesses of hope in places of suffering, and builders of peace in our world.

📖 “It’s not enough to heal bodies—we must heal hearts.”

This phrase, which captures the spirit of Brother Leonardo Grasso, continues to live on through the Camillian commitment to the poorest and most forgotten. His sacrifice reminds us that true charity is without reserve: it is not measured, not limited—it is entirely given.