St. Charles Borromeo

Despising Riches for Christ

St. Charles Borromeo was born on October 2, 1538 at the Arona castle on Lake Maggiore near Milan, Italy. His father was the Count of Arona and his mother a member of the Medici House. He was the third of six children born to the couple.

Charles’ rich parents gave him a good education. With all the riches they had, he could have done anything. However, Charles wanted to become a priest. When he was 12 years old, the young Charles dedicated himself to a life of service to the Church. Even as a young boy, he lived in integrity. He told his father that he could only keep the money intended for his studies and the rest belonged to the poor.

Charles went to the University of Pavia where he learned Latin. His father passed away in 1554, so the responsibility for his household fell to him. This responsibility resulted in financial difficulties, and he earned a reputation for being short of funds. Despite this, he continued his studies and earned a doctorate in civil and canon law.

A Young Ecclesiastical Leader

Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Medici, Charles’ uncle, became Pope Pius IV on December 25, 1559. The new pope summoned his nephew to Rome and appointed him a cardinal-deacon. He worked as assistant and adviser to his uncle, and after a month, the pope made him a cardinal. As a cardinal, Charles held more responsibilities which included the government of the Papal State, supervision of the Knights of Malta, the Carmelites and the Franciscans.

In 1560, Pope Pius IV named Charles as the administrator of Milan. He founded a college and carried out his duties well. Eventually, with the conviction that he was called by the Lord to the priesthood, Charles was ordained first to the order of deacon. Then, on September 4, 1563, he was ordained to the priesthood and on December 7 was consecrated as bishop. He was appointed Archbishop of Milan on May 12, 1564.

Leading the Reform in Milan

During that time, the Church had many flaws and troubles. Many of the priests had forgotten Jesus and His words “to serve and not to be served”. They refused to help the poor. They did not feed the hungry. They did not accompany the lonely and they neglected the homeless. So, seeing all of these, Archbishop Borromeo taught them how. He sent priests back to school by establishing seminaries. He was very concerned with how religious education was taught to children. He even wrote a catechism for the young and built schools for them. He worked tirelessly for the reform of the Church in Milan.

A True Pastor Amid the Plague

Sickness came to Milan in the form of the bubonic plague in 1576. To worsen things, famine also broke out throughout the area. During the height of the plague, civil authorities fled, while Archbishop Borromeo stayed in the city. He rushed from house to house, fed the hungry, helped those in need, ministered to the sick and the dying and buried the dead. He put the Gospel of God’s love into action.

His unceasing work and the burdens of his office began to affect Archbishop Borromeo’s health. In 1854, he himself got sick and died at the age of 46. He had spent his life showing his flock what the love of God looks like.

Finally, in 1584, Charles himself got sick and died. He was only 46 years old. He had spent his life showing people what God’s love looks like. He was canonized in 1610 by Pope Paul V. His feast day is November 4.

Five Interesting Facts About St. Charles Borromeo

1. St. Charles Borromeo is the patron saint of bishops, cardinals, seminarians, and spiritual leaders.
2. When St. Charles Borromeo was young, he suffered from a speech impediment that made him appear slow to those who did not know him. However, he performed well and impressed his teachers.
3. St. Charles Borromeo was a member of the Third Order of Franciscans. He was also the Cardinal Protector of the Friars Minor.
4. In 1569, an attempt was made on St. Charles Borromeo’s life. A bullet struck him as he was kneeling in prayer, but he was miraculously preserved from harm.
5. St. Charles Borromeo’s emblem is the word humilitas (humility) crowned, which is a portion of his coat of arms.

Prayer to St. Charles Borromeo

Preserve in the midst of your people,we ask, O Lord, the spirit with which you filledthe Bishop Saint Charles Borromeo,that your Church may be constantly renewedand, by conforming herself to the likeness of Christ,may show his face to the world.Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever. Amen.