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VEYO Patron Saints
St. Charles Borromeo
Born: October 2, 1538
Died: November 3, 1584
Feast Day: November 4
Patron Saint of: bishops, spiritual leaders, seminarians, the sick and infirm
Charles was born October 2, 1538 into a wealthy noble family near Arona in northern Italy. At the age of only 12 he received the tonsure and was thus enrolled in the clerical state. He studied law at the universities of Milan and Pavia and was created cardinal in 1560 at age 22. He became Apostolic Administrator of Milan on February 8, 1560 and later was called to Rome as Vatican Secretary of State. In 1562 Charles founded the Accademia Vaticana, which became an academic forum for clergy and lay people alike for literary and intellectual pursuits. Charles was very soon occupied as Secretary of State in using his influence to bring about the re-assembling of the Council of Trent, which had been suspended since 1552. The state of Europe was appalling from an ecclesiastical point of view and many were the difficulties that had to be overcome. Charles’ patience and devotion accomplished the task.
Member of many Vatican commissions Charles worked strenuously for the spiritual reform of both clergy and lay faithful. His high positions never prevented him from pursuing the duties of his priestly calling such as working among the sick and the dying during the plague outbreak in Milan in 1576. He served as teacher, confessor and parish priest, founded schools for the poor, seminaries for clerics and hospitals for the sick; he conducted synods, instituted children’s Sunday school and did great public and private penance.
Charles spent his life in the service of the Church and of the people of his diocese. He 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, always leading his people by example.
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