Camillus, born in the kingdom of Naples in 1550, developed a very serious gambling addiction (in days before behaviors were labelled as addictions). Camillus went from small bets on dice games and went headlong into wagers that left him often without enough money to supply the very necessaries for his life (which, given that he was born into a wealthy family, is saying a great deal). Camillus finally hit rock bottom at the age of 25, and threw himself on the mercy of God-as-he-understood-Him.

Camillus, poor but sober (gambling-wise), then sought out a religious order he could join and turn his efforts toward an unfettered service of God. The first order rejected him because he had a sore on his leg that didn’t seem to heal right. So Camillus approached a second order. The second order rejected him because he had a sore on his leg that didn’t seem to heal right. Did Camillus go back to gambling? Give the Church the middle finger? (OK, OK–given that he was canonized and thus the answers perforce have to be “No” to both questions.)

Here is what Camillus did–he went to a hospital in Rome that served the poor and volunteered to work there. No one sent him away–heck they couldn’t even retain the workers they had! Not only did he commit himself to his work among the poor and sick, he also realized that many of his coworkers were not similarly committed. (Big surprise, huh?) But instead of berating them, Camillus went on a campaign to use the persuasive charm that had gotten him past the velvet ropes and onto the high-roller tables in order to locate and then inspire excellent people to come to the hospital and commit themselves to caring for the sick and poor in a truly excellent way as well. Camillus became a self-appointed headhunter for the hospital, and came back with a talent pool that would make the finest hospitals of today salivate!

So now Camillus  was in demand by all the “best” religious orders (leg be damned)–but he set the condition that he’d only join if top-quality health care for the poor was going to be a top priority for the order!

Now that’s worthy for sainthood, yeah?!