St. Charles Borromeo

Inside of the rose window of St. Charles Borromeo, Parma, O. there is Charles writing. His correspondence was extensive. He wrote continuously at the Council of Trent. He also was in communication with several kings and popes. His opinion was sought. About the central window there are portrayed the Seven Works of Corporal Mercy (Feed the hungry, Give drink to the thirsty, Welcome the stranger, Clothe the naked, Visit the sick, Visit the prisoner, Bury the dead), and his emblem, from his family shield, 'Humilitas'. St. Charles, Parma is the sort of parish Bp. Lennon likes, its weekly collection is sometimes $25,000+. He has four resident priests there. It was in no danger of reconfiguration.

Yesterday, I was having supper conversation with some Catholic friends. They were talking about the crowdedness of the calendar to schedule an event. My comment was, "We're Catholic everyday is an event: yesterday, was All Souls, to-day is St. Martin Porres, to-morrow is St. Charles Borromeo".

To-day is St. Charlie. Four hundred yeas ago he was canonised. Milan, where he was archbishop, must be having some sort of commemoration this year. To-day, Pope Benedict had released a message to the press, part of it says, "He knew that a serious and credible reform had to begin with the pastors". Charles was one of the major figures of the Catholic Reformation. He was one of the four saints mentioned in the current Catechism as being an author of Trent's catechism. He also began the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (catechism classes for children, the protestant version of this became 'Sunday schools').

Charles had denounced his confessor and other priests for unnatural acts. He was active in cleaning the Church in Milan from corruption, and was a model to others. This and other activities caused him to have enemies. He survived assassination when shot at close range the ball hit his skin, but did not penetrate.

Charles believed much bad activity was caused by ignorance. He encouraged education. One of two seminaries in Cleveland (in this case, the suburb of Wickliffe)(there is one in Philadelphia too) is named after him. It is unfortunate that his ideals did not take stronger footing here.

Charles was well respected for his charity, humility, austerity and asceticism. In 1576-7 the bubonic plague hit. He was not afraid to minister to the sick. He went about barefoot, and with a rope about his neck in public penance. He died in 1584 and the Milanese kept his anniversary as a saint day. His formal canonisation was 1 November 1610, and he was placed on the calendar for the 4th.