A Life of Faith and Reform
As I reflect on Saint Charles Borromeo, whose feast day is November 4th I am reminded that the Call to Holiness often flourishes in the tension between privilege and service. Charles was born into a wealthy Italian family in 1538 and he could easily have lived a life of comfort. Yet, his response to God’s call shaped him into something far greater – a reformer who helped renew the Church at one of its most critical moments in history.
Charles was born in the Italian town of Arona, near Lake Maggiore. His family was wealthy, connected to the powerful Medici clan, and by every measure, his path was prescribed for a life of influence and ease. However at just 12 years old he received the tonsure, marking him for the clerical state. He then studied both civil and canon law, and by 1559 he held a doctorate from the University of Pavia.
His life took a dramatic turn when his uncle, Giovanni Angelo Medici, was elected Pope Pius IV. Charles was soon called to Rome, where he was made a cardinal and later appointed Archbishop of Milan. He had reached a position of prominence and prestige within the Church. For Charles, it was the beginning of a mission, a different mission.
In the mid-1500s, the Church was facing immense challenges brought on by spiritual complacency, inadequate formation for priests and growing disillusionment among the faithful. These conditions seem to be repeated predicament for our Church. The Council of Trent (1545–1563) sought to address these crises. Charles played a key role in implementing its reforms, insisting that renewal had to begin from within.
He built seminaries to train priests in a strong spiritual life and academic understanding. He promoted relevant catechesis, ensuring that children and adults alike could understand the faith they professed. He encouraged engaging liturgy, and strong parish life. For Charles, reform was not about control, but about shepherding people back to the living Christ. The need for ongoing renewal and conversion is the way we grow in faith and develop strong parish communities.
When plague and famine struck Milan in 1576, Charles stayed with his people. He organised food for the hungry, comforted the sick, and spent his own fortune to care for those abandoned. Many advised him to leave for safety, but he replied that a shepherd must never abandon his sheep.
His Legacy
What strikes me most about Saint Charles Borromeo is how his reform was grounded in personal holiness and dedication to the People of God. He led by example. He fasted and prayed. He lived simply despite his high position. He opened his door to anyone in need.
His initiatives reshaped the Church’s future:
- Formation: He founded seminaries that became models for priestly training worldwide.
- Catechesis: He established the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD), which still influences parish religious education today.
- Pastoral Renewal: He called bishops and priests to be close to their people, ensuring that ministry flowed from love, not privilege.
- Service: He showed that authentic reform begins not with criticism, but with compassion and humility.
Saint Charles was only 46 when he died on 3 November 1584. His feast is celebrated on 4 November, a date that reminds us each year that renewal in the Church is a work of the Spirit – carried forward by ordinary people who love deeply and serve faithfully.
The Meaning of His Feast Day
The Church celebrates Saint Charles Borromeo’s feast not just to recall his deeds, but to remember what true leadership looks like. In every age, God raises up men and women who reform the Church not through force or politics, but through integrity, courage and faith. Charles stands among those figures as a patron of bishops, seminarians, and catechists – anyone who seeks to form others in the way of Christ.
by Virginia Ryan