The Camillian Jubilee, celebrated in 2025 under the theme “Conquered by Christ”, offers a special time to reflect on the heart of the Camillian charism. The conversion of St. Camillus de Lellis was not merely a personal event but a transformative encounter with Christ that radically changed his life, leading him to dedicate himself to serving the sick with compassion and commitment. To be “conquered by Christ” means to respond wholeheartedly to His call, becoming instruments of hope and mercy in the lives of others more especially the sick and the vulnerable.
This theme harmoniously connects with the universal message of the Jubilee 2025, “Pilgrims of Hope”. Just as St. Camillus allowed himself to be guided by Christ to transform suffering into concrete acts of love, every Christian is called to live the jubilee pilgrimage as a journey of inner renewal and a commitment to bring hope, especially to the most vulnerable. These two Jubilees, universal and Camillian, together offer the opportunity to deepen one’s faith and translate the Gospel message into tangible actions.
The Jubilee pilgrimage is a journey to holy places and an interior path that finds expression in service. For the Camillians, this manifests daily in their care for the sick and the suffering in our various fields of services. Every visit to a patient, every act of care, and every comforting word becomes an opportunity to encounter Christ. In the Camillian charism, every hospital, care home, and mission becomes a “holy door” that opens to the grace of God.
Hope, central to the Universal Jubilee, finds a profound expression in the Camillian mission through concrete acts of love and compassion. Bringing hope means transforming every encounter into a moment of light and healing, making Christ’s presence visible even in the most challenging situations. As St. Camillus famously said, “Put more heart into those hands!”—an invitation to serve with deep love and total dedication.
We can become authentic pilgrims of hope if we serve the sick without any reservation as our fourth vow avers, “serving the sick even at the risk of our lives.” Hence becoming ‘Christ’ to the sick, poor, and less fortunate.
Fr. Dominic Misaro
