November 4

Saint Charles Borromeo

Memorial

Reformed the Church in Milan and stayed with its people through the plague

Charles Borromeo was born in 1538 at Arona, on Lake Maggiore, into a wealthy noble family. When his uncle became Pope Pius IV in 1559, the young law graduate was called to Rome and made a cardinal at about 21, with heavy duties and a large income.

Instead of living as a comfortable churchman, he helped bring the Council of Trent to its close in 1563 and worked on the catechism that followed. Named archbishop of Milan in 1564, he settled there in 1566, unusual for bishops then. He opened seminaries, organised classes teaching children the faith and climbed to remote Alpine parishes. His reforms made enemies: in 1569 a member of an order he was correcting shot at him while he prayed. He survived.

When plague struck Milan in 1576, he stayed, organised care for the sick and spent his money feeding the hungry. Worn out, he died in 1584, aged 46. Christians remember him as a shepherd who renewed the Church by sharing his people's life.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

John 10:11 · BSB

A prayer

God of mercy, you gave Saint Charles Borromeo the courage to renew your Church and to stay beside the sick and the poor when others fled. Give us that same faithfulness: help us put aside comfort for the sake of those in need, and serve your people with patience and love. Amen.