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Also known as: Carlo
Borromeo; Father of the Clergy; Apostle to the Council of Trent
Profile
Born to a wealthy, noble family, he was the nephew of Pope Pius IV. Civil
and canon lawyer at age 21, cardinal at 22, archbishop of Milan at 24.
Suffered with a speech impediment. Spent his life and fortune in the
service of the people of his diocese. Directed and fervently enforced the
decrees of the Council of Trent, and fought tirelessly for peace in the
wake of the storm caused by Martin Luther. Founded schools for the poor,
seminaries for clerics, hospitals for the sick; conducted synods.
Instituted children's Sunday school. Teacher, confessor and parish priest
to Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. Did great public and private penance, and
worked among the sick and dying during the plague.
Born: 2 October 1538 at Aron, Italy
Died: 3 November 1584 of natural causes
Canonized: 1610
Name Meaning: strong; manly (= Charles)
Patronage
against ulcers, apple orchards, bishops, catechists, catechumens, colic,
intestinal disorders, diocese of Monterey California, seminarians,
spiritual directors, spiritual leaders starch makers, stomach diseases
Representation
communion; bishop wearing a rope noose around his neck; cardinal wearing a
rope noose around his neck
Readings
If we wish to make any progress in the service of God we must begin every
day of our life with new eagerness. We must keep ourselves in the presence
of God as much as possible and have no other view or end in all our
actions but the divine honor.
- Saint Charles Borromeo
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I admit that we are all weak, but if we want help, the Lord God has given
us the means to find it easily. Would you like me to teach you how to grow
from virtue to virtue and how, if you are already recollected at prayer,
you can be even more attentive next time, and so give God more pleasing
worship? Listen, and I will tell you. If a tiny spark of God's love
already burns within you, do not expose it to the wind, for it may get
blown out. Keep the stove tightly shut so that it will not lose its heat
and grow cold. In other words, avoid distractions as well as you can. Stay
quiet with God. Do not spend your time in useless chatter.
If teaching and preaching is your job, then study diligently and apply
yourself to whatever is necessary for doing the job well. Be sure that you
first preach by the way you live. If you do not, people will notice that
you say one thing, but live otherwise, and your words will bring only
cynical laughter and a derisive shake of the head.
We must meditate before, during and after everything we do. The prophet
says: "I will pray, and then I will understand."
This is the way we can easily overcome the countless difficulties we have
to face day after day, which, after all, are part of our work. In
meditation we find the strength to bring Christ to birth in ourselves and
in other men.
- Saint Charles Borromeo
source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintc10.htm
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