Today is the feast of St. Charles Borromeo. Born at the family's castle on Lake Maggiore, Charles was the son of a count and the nephew of Pope Pius IV. He took the tonsure (that is, went into the seminary) at 12 and sent to a Benedictine monastery for schooling. He was a papal secretary of state who enforced the reforms of the Council of Trent and helped write the Roman Catechism. A priest and bishop, he was loved for his simplicity, piety, generosity, and self-sacrifice. He was one of the towering figures of the Catholic Reformation, a patron of learning and the arts, and he used his immense power and prestige with humility, personal sanctity, and unselfishness to reform the Church of the evils and abuses so prevalent among the clergy and the nobles of the times.
St. Charles Borromeo, even though you had power, prestige and position, you always remained faithful to the teaches of Christ, humbling yourself to reform the human-side of the Church. Help me to remember that no matter my position of authority, I should always act with humility and charity. St. Charles Borromeo, pray for us.
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