Saint Charles Borromeo
Feast day: November 4
Saint Charles Borromeo, Cardinal Archbishop of Milan, who renewed the Church and cared for the sick (04/11)
Who is he?
Saint Charles Borromeo was a cardinal and the Archbishop of Milan (in Italy) in the sixteenth century. He was a good shepherd who helped to renew the Church after the Council of Trent.
Life story
Charles was born on 2 October 1538 in the castle of Arona, by Lake Maggiore, into a noble family. In 1559 his uncle was elected Pope and took the name Pius IV. The Pope called Charles to Rome, made him a cardinal in 1560, when he was only 21, and gave him the care of the Archdiocese of Milan. In 1564 he was officially appointed Archbishop of Milan.
He worked very hard so that the Council of Trent could meet again, and it was completed in 1563. That same year he was ordained a priest and then a bishop. He also did much to prepare the Roman Catechism.
In 1566 he went to live in Milan for good. He visited every parish, opened seminaries, the schools that train future priests, and developed and spread the Sunday catechism classes for children. He lived simply, fasted, prayed a great deal and gave his wealth to the poor. Some people did not like his reforms: in 1569 a man shot at him while he was praying in his chapel, but he survived.
In 1576 the plague spread through Milan. Many rich people left the city, but the Archbishop stayed. He cared for the sick, fed the hungry, sold even his own belongings to help them, and led the people in processions, praying in repentance for God's mercy.
He died in Milan on 3 November 1584, only 46 years old. In 1610 Pope Paul V declared him a saint.
Why is he a saint?
Saint Charles lived like Jesus, who said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (Jn 10:11). He gave himself to helping people know God and to caring for those who needed help.
A lesson for you
- Go to catechism class faithfully and study hard: Saint Charles cared with all his heart for classes like these for children.
- When someone at home or in your neighbourhood is ill, ask how they are, help them and pray for them.
- Pray for priests and seminarians, so that they become good shepherds.
Identifying marks
- A red cassock, a white lace-trimmed rochet over it and a short red shoulder cape: a cardinal's choir dress, as traditionally painted.
- A crucifix in his hands: he is often shown contemplating Jesus on the cross.
- A long, slightly hooked nose: a familiar feature in paintings of him.
- A thin, beardless face: he lived simply and fasted often.
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