St. Charles Borromeo was the third son in a wealthy aristocratic family in Lombardy, Italy. At 12, he committed to a religious life and studied law at Pavia University. In 1560, he was appointed Cardinal by his uncle, Pope Pius IV, and four years later became Archbishop of Milan. Living a simple life, he sold his valuables, limited his meals to bread, water, and dried figs, and slept only four hours. St. Charles was a key figure in the Counter-Reformation, reforming 3,000 clergy, founding six exemplary seminaries, and establishing the Swiss College in Milan. During the 1576 Milan famine, he stayed in the city, feeding 60-70,000 people daily despite incurring great Church debt. He advised many, from Popes to rulers, and emphasized the importance of serving God with ardor and intention. St. Charles Borromeo died on 3 November 1584 at 46 and was canonized by Pope Paul V on 1 November 1610. He is the patron saint of catechists, students, and the arts, and is invoked against pestilence.
Prayer by St. Charles Borromeo:
Almighty God, you have generously made known to man the mysteries of your life through Jesus Christ, your Son in the Holy Spirit. Enlighten my mind to know these mysteries which your Church treasures and teaches. Move my heart to love them and my will to live in accord with them. Give me the ability to teach this Faith to others without pride, without ostentation, and without personal gain. Let me realize that I am simply your instrument for bringing others to the knowledge of the wonderful things you have done for all your creatures. Help me to be faithful to this task that you have entrusted to me. Amen.
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