Charles Borromeo (1538–1584)

Biography

He belonged to the illustrious Medici family, and had received a university education in Pavia. He was an austere, hard-working and responsible young man. When his uncle Cardinal Medici, under the name of Pius IV, was crowned Pope in 1559, many nephews came expecting perks. It was the very harmful scourge of nepotism. Carlos did not come. He continued at his job. It was his uncle Pius IV who called him. He would soon be showered with honors, which Carlos accepted as responsibilities. Two months later he became Cardinal, Archbishop of Milan and Secretary of State. He received sacred orders later. I was going to turn 22 years old. It was a case of successful nepotism. He intervened in the most delicate issues, in the revision of the Vulgate, the Missal and the Breviary. He was also concerned with the composition of the Roman Catechism, a very important work, and he had an important participation in the Council of Trent. He relieved his tension with his love of art and music - he was a cello virtuoso - and some distraction with chess, ball and hunting. The death of his only brother had a strong impact on him. He increased the time of prayer - "souls are won on the knees," he repeated - and of ascetic rigor. "He profited by his example more than all the decrees of Trent," said a contemporary. Pius IV was succeeded by Saint Pius V. Charles left Rome to dedicate himself more fully to his diocese of Milan. He undertook a great reforming action and worked at an accelerated pace. He gathered six Councils and eleven Synods to apply the decrees of Trent. He founded five seminaries to prepare worthy priests. He travels through his extensive diocese and multiplies works of charity. He carries out the reform of the people, the clergy, the monks and the nuns, who were reluctant to accept some of the norms of Trent. Exercises of Saint Ignatius, which he appreciated so much and had always helped him so much. A few days later, he died on November 3, 1584. He was only 46 years old. This "Gift from Heaven", Pope Pius X once said of him, was canonized by Paul V in 1610.