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Saint Charles Borromeo: A Model of Charitable Works and Strong Leadership during the Counter-Reformation
Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash
Saint Charles Borromeo was a cardinal of the Catholic Church and archbishop of Milan, Italy during the Counter-Reformation. He is remembered for his strong leadership and charitable works, and is the patron saint of catechists and seminarians.
Charles Borromeo was born on October 2nd, 1538 in the Castle of Arona on Lake Maggiore, Italy. He was the third son of Count Gilbert Borromeo and Margaret Medici. Despite his noble birth, Charles was deeply religious from a young age and decided to enter the Church. He studied at the University of Pavia and received a doctorate in both civil and canon law.
In 1560, Charles' uncle, Pope Pius IV, appointed him cardinal-deacon of St. Nicholas in Carcere. Despite his young age, Charles quickly became one of the most influential figures in the Catholic Church. He was appointed archbishop of Milan in 1564, and immediately set to work reforming the Church in his diocese. He preached frequently, founded seminaries and hospitals, and visited the poor and sick.
During the Counter-Reformation, Charles Borromeo was a strong advocate for the Council of Trent and worked to implement its decrees in Milan. He also worked to combat Protestantism and heresy, and was known for his strict adherence to Church doctrine. Despite his reputation as a strict disciplinarian, Charles was deeply devoted to the poor and worked tirelessly to aid them. He also founded a society of secular priests to work in the slums of Milan, which is still active today.
In 1578, Charles fell ill with a fever and died on November 3rd of that year. His funeral was attended by thousands of people, and he was quickly remembered as a saintly figure. He was canonized by Pope Paul V on November 1st, 1610.
Saint Charles Borromeo is celebrated on November 4th and his memorial is celebrated on November 3rd. He is also remembered on the Feast of All Saints and on the Feast of All Souls, as he was known for his devotion to the dead and for founding a cemetery for Milan's poor.
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