Charles Borromeo

Who they were

Charles Borromeo was born on 2 October 1538 at Arona on Lake Maggiore into the noble Borromeo family. Given an abbey at twelve, he gave its income to the poor. He took a doctorate in both laws at Pavia in 1559, and when his elder brother died refused to leave the Church to head the family: ordained priest in 1563, he was at once consecrated bishop and took part in the last sessions of the Council of Trent, helping draft the Roman Catechism.

In 1565, aged 27, he took up residence as Archbishop of Milan, as the Council required. He visited his whole diocese three times, founded seminaries, built churches, schools, colleges and hospitals, founded the Oblates, and gave the family wealth to the poor. In 1578 he walked for four days, fasting and praying, to venerate the Shroud at Turin. Worn out, he died in November 1584, aged 46, and lies in the crypt of Milan Cathedral.

The miracles

The miracles examined for his beatification and canonisation are not described in the sources we have used.

Why that counted as sanctity

Charles put the Council of Trent into practice with total dedication, rebuilding the Church in Milan from within, and gave everything he had to his people and the poor. 'Souls are won on one's knees.'

Connected on this site

• Aloysius Gonzaga Saint
  “At seven he was already saying the penitential psalms on his knees several times a day, at ten he consecrated himself to Our Lady, and at twelve he received First Communion from St Charles Borromeo.” — this site's research
• Bartholomew of Braga Saint
  “He participated in the Council of Trent and collaborated with Charles Borromeo there.” — Wikipedia
• Gregorio Barbarigo Saint
  “A shepherd in the mould of St Charles Borromeo, he later became bishop of Padua and worked, as adviser to Innocent XI, for reunion with the Eastern Churches.” — this site's research
• Ignatius of Loyola Saint
  “Borromeo founded the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and was a leading figure of the Counter-Reformation together with Ignatius of Loyola and Philip Neri.” — Wikipedia
• Philip Neri Saint
  “Borromeo founded the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and was a leading figure of the Counter-Reformation together with Ignatius of Loyola and Philip Neri.” — Wikipedia
• Ralph Sherwin Saint
  “Setting out for England in 1580, he preached before St Charles Borromeo at Milan.” — this site's research
• Assunta Marchetti Blessed
  “Assunta Marchetti, SS (15 August 1871 – 1 July 1948) was an Italian Catholic who cofounded of the Missionary Sisters of Saint Charles Borromeo.” — Wikipedia
• Giovannangelo Porro Blessed
  “Charles Borromeo was healed as a child due to Porro's intercession and carried with him a foot bone fragment from Porro's incorrupt remains.” — Wikipedia
• Nicolò Rusca Blessed
  “Nicolò Rusca was born at Bedano in Ticino in April 1563 and was formed at the Helvetic College in Milan under St Charles Borromeo.” — this site's research
• Carlo Bascapè Venerable
  “He was a close friend of Saint Charles Borromeo and assumed the first half of his religious name in honor of him.” — Wikipedia