Barbantini spent time living with the Visitandines and later met the priest Antonio Scalabrini who guided her to the spirit of service to all people and to the service of the ill and frail. To that end she founded the Camillian Sisters Ministers of the Sick on 23 January 1829 in order to aid those ailing with illnesses. At first, the first community was called the ‘Sisters Oblate Nurses’, but subsequently was known as the women Ministers of the Sick of St. Camillus (in latin Institutum Sororum Infirmis Ministrantium). It later received diocesan approval on 5 August 1841.
MARIA DOMENICA BRUN BARBANTINI was born in Lucca, Italy, on January 17, 1789. She got married at the age of 22 to Salvatore Barbantini, who died a sudden death barely six months after their marriage leaving her heavy with a child. Lorenzo, the only fruit of their marriage and the “greatest treasure” of her life, was also taken away from her at the age of eight. This excruciating experience led Maria Domenica to a full realization and acceptance of the mysterious plans of God for her. She dedicated herself to their service as a woman of strong faith, exceptional courage, and extraordinary compassion for others, especially the sick and the poor. Through this strong commitment, God chose her to found a new Congregation – the Sister Ministers of the Sick of St. Camillus (the Camillian Sisters). On May 22, 1868, she died and left an inspiring memory and an exemplary holy life dedicated to the sick and the needy. The Church recognized her as a model for all Christians, and on May 7, 1995, she was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Rome, Italy.
It is being “united with” the other in an indissoluble manner. Here then is the conjugal experience in the charism, making it an unalterable, unfailing, indissoluble experience of union with the sick, with the person of the sick who is in particular spiritual, and physical need.
From now on, our hearts will burn with love, tenderness, and care for the poor and lonely sick, for the abandoned, for the dying.
The Congregation came into being through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; it comes from God and is held by Him. It is entrusted to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary whom we venerate under the title of Our Lady of Sorrows and to St. Camillus de Lellis, the Patron Saint of the Sick who was the first to use the Red Cross as a symbol of love and service to the sick. The Congregation lives the theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Love as it continues the mission entrusted to it by God
Our Lady of Sorrows patroness of our congregation
Key milestones for the Camillian Sisters include the beatification of their Foundress, Maria Domenica Brun Barbantini in 1995, their entry into Taiwan in 1943 and Kenya in 1976 (the latter being their first African mission), their establishment in the Philippines in 1975 and India in 1980, and a healthcare initiative for people living with HIV in 1997. They also took their distinctive fourth vow to serve the sick at the risk of their lives in 1980.
The Camillian Sisters have communities in Africa (Kenya), Asia (Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam), and Latin America, though specific details on the latter two are less prominent in the provided snippets. They serve the sick and poor through various ministries, including hospitals, clinics, centers for the disabled and elderly, and educational initiatives.
Karen