The 2nd son of Count Giberto Borromeo and Margherita de’ Medici, sister of Pope Pius IV, Charles received the tonsure at age 12 and his doctorate in Civil and Canon Law at 21. Called to Rome by his uncle Pope Pius IV in 1560, he was made the administrator of the Papal States, Cardinal-Deacon, and Papal legate. At 22, though still only a Deacon, he was appointed Administrator of the Archdiocese of Milan. At the Pope’s command, the suspended Ecumenical Council of Trent was reassembled and, with Charles as the “‘very soul of the Council”, enacted specific clarifications of doctrine and Church reform. Charles, who had meanwhile been ordained priest, was now consecrated Archbishop of Milan but was detained in Rome for a while to revise the Roman Catechism, Missal and Breviary, as well as to reform Church music and the Roman Curia in accordance with the Council’s decrees.
In Milan, he instituted the greatest simplicity and economy, sold his valuable furniture and three-armed galleys, limited his food to one meal a day—just bread, water and some dried figs—and his sleep to four hours.
Born at Rocca d’Arona, near Lago Maggiore on 2 October 1538, Charles Borromeo died on 3 November 1584 at Milan aged 46. Canonized by Pope Paul V on 1 November 1610, he is venerated as the patron of catechists and is invoked against pestilence.
Reflection: “He who desires to make any progress in the service of God must begin every day of his life with new ardor, must keep himself in the presence of God as much as possible, and must have no other view or end in all his actions but the divine honor” (St Charles Borromeo).
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