Nov. 4 marks the feast day of St. Charles Borromeo, an Italian bishop who lived during the Protestant Reformation and who, although born into the wealthy Medici family, devoted his life to the Church. He aided leaders through the Council of Trent and much-needed reform by making an example of his own life – giving his money to charity, denying himself all luxury, and imposing severe penances upon himself. During the plague and famine of 1576, Borromeo tried to feed 60,000 to 70,000 people daily. To do this, he borrowed large sums of money that required years to repay. Whereas Milan’s civil authorities fled at the height of the plague, he stayed in the city, ministering to the sick and the dying. This year consider celebrating the Nov. 4 feast day with parishioners at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Morganton as they host a food festival and celebration in honor of their patron. Visit: www.saintcharlesborromeo.org for more information.
St. Charles Borromeo is the patron of bishops, cardinals, seminarians, and spiritual leaders. He dedicated his life to the poor and to the Church, helping steer leaders away from evil and back to Christ. As Catholic leaders of the Church today meet during the month of October to discuss the Synod on Synodality, one of the largest gatherings of Church leaders since the Second Vatican Council, pray for St. Charles Borromeo’s intercession and guidance of the Church by reciting his prayer: “Almighty God, you have generously made known to human beings the mysteries of your life through Jesus Christ your Son in the Holy Spirit. Enlighten my mind to know these mysteries which your Church treasures and teaches. Move my heart to love them and my will to live in accord with them. Amen.” Full coverage from the Synod on Synodality