St. Charles Borromeo

Charles Borromeo, the son of Count Gilbert Borromeo and Margaret de Medici, the sister of Pope Pius IV, was born on October 2, 1538 at Lake Maggiore, Italy and educated in the Benedictine abbey at Arona. When his uncle became pope in 1559, he named Charles a cardinal and appointed him as his Secretary of State and the administrator of the see of Milan. Charles was not yet a priest and he was not ordained until 1563. He became a vigorous administrator, active in the last session of the Council of Trent. He oversaw the writing of the catechism, breviary, and missal called for by the council. He reformed his diocese, instituting seminaries for the training of priests and many other innovations. Once he became a priest, he dedicated himself even more strictly to religious matters, praying and studying long hours. Many opposed his reforms; at times his life was threatened. Throughout he remained determined. He died the night of November 3-4, 1584 in Milan after traveling on apostolic visits throughout his diocese. He is the patron of learning and the arts, including music for he loved to play the lute and the violoncello. He was canonized in 1610; his feast is November 4.