A pilgrimage to the dioceses and places of care of the whole of Italy in order to bear witness to a strong and constant presence among the faithful and the sick: this is what the relic of St. Camillus is doing during the jubilee year when the four hundredth centenary of his death is remembered.

For health-care workers, for the heads of institutions and for volunteers who care for the sick, the presence of the heart of St. Camillus is a good opportunity to draw upon the spirituality of this saint and his example which is always of contemporary relevance.

This relic has a deep symbolic meaning, drawing inspiration from the heart of Christ, the source and model of divine love. In a perfect state of conservation, its size is striking. It is no accident that it is related that when it was taken out there appeared to the physicians ‘a heart that was so beautiful as to seem a ruby, and one that was so large that everyone admired it’.

Today this relic is kept in the ‘Cubiculum’ inside the generalate house of the Order (next to the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Rome) in the room where St. Camillus died on 14 July 1614.

The communities that receive this relic will be involved in various appointments: catechesis for the young and adults, meetings with workers in the field of pastoral care and health care, and moments of reflection on the meaning of pain and the value of voluntary work. Religious and lay associations will take part. Celebrations of the Eucharist presided over by local bishops are envisaged, if possible with the presence of sick people. The first two stages of the pilgrimage for the year 2014 will be the Camillian studentate of Rome (7-8 February) and St. Camillus Hospital (9-12 February).

The young men undergoing formation await with joy the arrival of the relic at the studentate where perpetual consecration is being prepared for through prayer, study and care for the sick in nearby places of care.

The same climate of emotional expectation is to be felt in the St. Camillus Hospital of Rome where all the wards will be involved in moments of prayer, celebrations and reflections animated by chaplains, in cooperation with health-care workers and various associations and prayer groups.

February, Rome, Friday and Saturday 7-8 February: the heart of St. Camillus on a pilgrimage to the community of the studentate of Rome. In the evening the heart will be welcomed by the Eugenio Litta Institute of Grottaferrata where a diocesan vigil for young people will be held.

July, Milan, Friday to Monday, 4-7 July: the relic of the heart on a pilgrimage to the St. Camillus Sanctuary of Milan.

 ‘More heart in those hands’ was the motto of St. Camillus: the pilgrimage of this relic can be a good opportunity to make it our own.

Look here at the programme of the pilgrimage of the heart of St. Camillus

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