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Saint Charles Borromeo
Feast Day: November 4
Many years ago, Charles Borromeo
helped the Church begin to live the Gospels again. He did this by living
simply. Charles was born in a castle in Italy on October 2, 1538. His
rich parents gave Charles a fine education. With it and with their money,
he could have been or done anything! But when he grew up, he said good-bye
to his family’s money. He became a priest. Later, the pope made
him the bishop, or leader, of Milan.
At that time, the Church had troubles. Many priests had forgotten that
Jesus came to serve others. They refused to help the poor and hungry,
the lonely and homeless. So Charles taught them how. He sent priests back
to school. He wrote a catechism for children and built schools for them
too.
Then, when sickness came to Milan, Charles rushed from house to house.
He fed the hungry; he bathed the sores of the sick; he buried the dead.
He put the good news of God’s love into action.
Some people tried to kill Charles because he did good things. Did that
stop him? No! He just turned around and tried to help those people find
God!
Finally, in 1584, Charles himself got sick and died. He was only 46 years
old. He had spent his life showing people what God’s love looks
like. So in 1610, the Church said, “Yes! Charles Borromeo is a saint!
He lived the Gospels!”
