Saint Who?
Saints Who Cared for the Sick
Blessed Enrico Rebuschini
Priest († 1938)Feast: May 10
Enrico was born in Gravedona, Italy. His mother was devout, but his father was dismissive of religion. From childhood, Enrico was sensitive to the needs of others and looked for ways to help the poor. Although he wanted to become a priest, he obeyed his father and pursued careers in mathematics, accounting, military service, and business for several years.
But each of these vocational paths left Enrico unhappy and dissatisfied. When he was finally able to change his father’s mind and obtain his approval, he immediately entered seminary. However, Enrico’s tendency toward perfectionism and his overly aggressive ascetic practices soon left him exhausted and depressed. He had to leave seminary to recover his physical and mental health. He then discovered the Camillian order, the ideal vocation for a man who particularly wanted to minister to the souls of the sick as a priest.
During his almost forty years in the Camillian order, Enrico was admired by those inside and outside his order for his kindness, untiring service, and ability to gently lead the sick back to God and to the sacraments. Yet, unknown to many, he also suffered from depression, demonstrating that the best healers are those who have known suffering themselves, just like the Lord.
Divine Physician, may our own experience of suffering give us hearts of compassion for those who are sick.
