Camillians

Clerics Regular, Ministers to the Sick
Latin: Clerci Regulari Ministeri Infirmaribus
AbbreviationMI
NicknameCamillians
Formation1586; 438 years ago (1586)
Founder
Founded at
TypeOrder of clerics regular of pontifical right (for men)
HeadquartersSanta Maria Maddalena, 53 Piazza della Maddalena, Rome, Italy
Region served
Worldwide
Members
1,080
Ministry
Care for the sick
Parent organization
Catholic Church
Websitewww.camilliani.org

The Camillians or Clerics Regular, Ministers to the Sick (Latin: Clerci Regulari Ministeri Infirmaribus) are a Catholic religious order founded in 1582 by St. Camillus de Lellis (1550-1614). A large red cross was chosen by the founder as the distinguishing badge for the members of the Order to wear upon their black cassocks, which was later adopted as the international symbol of medical care. In the past, because of the red cross on their apparel, they were also referred to as the Crociferi. As of 2018, 1080 Camillians serve in 35 countries. They use the postnominal initials of M.I. (Ministri degli Infermi).