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Thursday, November 4, 2021

St. Charles Borromeo


 

Today is the feast of St. Charles Borromeo. I knew nothing about him until we read his life during meals when I was a novice. He was born into a rather famous Italian family. His uncle became Pope Pius IV and immediately appointed young Charles as a cardinal and then the administrator of the see of Milan. Then he became papal secretary of state and had to live in Rome. He was not yet twenty-two and not yet ordained. He assisted at the Council of Trent where he helped draft the Catechism. Finally, in 1563, he was ordained a priest and then consecrated a bishop. When his uncle died, the new Pope let him return to Milan and take charge of his diocese which was in a deplorable state. He died on November 4, 1584 at the age of 46. He told others to be sure to first preach by the way you live. He would be good to pray to for the Synods that are being held in all parts of the world. Maybe he will give a push to some of the dioceses in our country where consultation for the synod seems to be lagging.

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