Saint Charles Borromeo
Feast Day: November 4
The Church is a family of all sorts of people with all sorts of talents. The saints show us how to use our talents. Saint Charles Borromeo showed us how to use our minds and our wills to help others.
Charles was born in a castle in Italy on October 2, 1538. His wealthy family wanted him to marry and have children. But Charles chose another way to share God’s love. He gave up all his money and lived simply. First, he became a priest; then he became the bishop of Milan.
Charles lived during the Reformation when the Church had many problems. Some priests did not follow the example of Jesus. So Charles helped the Church reform itself. He set up schools to teach priests how to live the good news of God’s love. He wrote a catechism to educate children and help them learn about God’s love.
Because of his reforms, some people tried to kill Charles. But this did not stop him from doing good things. When a great plague and famine came to Italy, Charles collected food to feed 60,000 people a day! He rushed around the city of Milan helping the hungry and homeless, the sick and dying.
Soon Charles wore himself out. In 1584 he died. He was only forty-six years old. Just a few years later, in 1610, the Church declared that Charles was a saint. Through him, God had reformed the Church. Through Charles, God’s love had reached many people.
Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
Junior high, Church and Sacraments, chapter 11
Connecting to Faith First®
Junior High, Creed and Prayer, chapter 23