Saint Charles Borromeo

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Saint Charles Borromeo
Feast Day	November 04
Liturgical Class
Patronage	Bishops; archbishops; catechists; cardinals; catechumens; spiritual directors; Seminary of Majano; Milan; Monza; Briosco
Birthplace	Arona, Duchy of Milan (now Italy)
Death Place	Milan, Duchy of Milan (now Italy)
Cause of Death	Natural causes
Primary Shrine	Duomo di Milano, Milan, Italy

Saint Charles Borromeo (Italian: Carlo Borromeo; 2 October 1538 – 3 November 1582), also known as Saint Charles of Milan, was an Italian cardinal, Archbishop of Milan, and a leading figure of the Counter-Reformation. According to contemporary accounts by his nephew Federico Borromeo and Church records, born into the influential Borromeo family in Arona, Charles studied law at the University of Pavia before being appointed cardinal-deacon at 22 by his uncle Pope Pius IV, overseeing the final sessions of the Council of Trent (1562–1563). As archbishop from 1564, he implemented Trent's reforms with zeal, founding seminaries, catechizing the laity, and aiding plague victims in Milan (1576–1577), exemplifying episcopal renewal.

Canonized by Pope Paul V on 1 November 1610, less than 28 years after his death, Charles is invoked as patron of bishops and catechists for his rigorous spirituality and administrative genius. His feast day, 4 November, is celebrated in the Roman Rite, with veneration centered on Milan's Duomo where his relics rest. Evidence from Trent decrees and Milanese synods confirms his historical impact, while hagiographic traditions emphasize ascetic practices like flagellation, though verified through his spiritual writings.

Biography

Birth

Saint Charles Borromeo was born Carlo Borromeo on 2 October 1538 in the Rocca d'Arona castle, Arona, Duchy of Milan (now Italy), the third son of Count Giberto II Borromeo and Margherita Trivulzio. Baptized the same day in the local parish, he received a classical education at home before studying at the University of Pavia (1552–1559), earning doctorates in canon and civil law. Hagiographic tradition holds a pious childhood, marked by early Mass attendance, though this originates from family testimonies.

Probabilistic inferences from Renaissance nobility suggest a privileged upbringing fostering intellectual and spiritual depth.

Early Life

As a youth, Charles excelled academically in Pavia, founding a student sodality for spiritual formation. Upon his uncle Giovanni Angelo Medici's election as Pope Pius IV (1559), he was summoned to Rome, appointed protonotary apostolic, and cardinal-deacon of Santi Vito e Modesto at 22 (1560). Evidence from papal consistories confirms his rapid rise, managing Vatican finances and family affairs.

His early life balanced secular duties with deepening piety, including ordination as subdeacon (1563).

Occupation

Charles's initial occupation was administrative: as papal secretary of state, he organized Trent's closing and published its decrees (1564). Appointed Archbishop of Milan in absentia (1564), he resided there from 1565, reforming clergy through visitations, synods (1565–1582), and the 1577 Instructions for Parish Priests. Historical records from Milanese archives detail his catechetical initiatives.

He founded the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and seminaries, embodying Tridentine implementation.

Vocation

Charles's vocation as reformer crystallized post-Trent, viewing episcopacy as service to the Church's renewal. Ordained priest (1563) and consecrated bishop (1564), he embraced celibacy despite expectations, living ascetically with confessors and spiritual exercises. Influenced by St. Philip Neri and St. Ignatius Loyola, he promoted Oblates of St. Ambrose (1578) for lay ministry.

His calling demanded confrontation with Milanese laxity, fostering personal sanctity amid public duties.

Death

Exhausted by 1576 plague ministry—nursing victims, selling goods for the poor—Charles suffered fevers from 1580. On 3 November 1582, aged 44, he died at Milan’s Archbishop's Palace after receiving sacraments, whispering "Behold, I come."

Saint Charles met his end peacefully in middle age. Funeral drew massive crowds; body embalmed and entombed in Milan's Duomo.

Significant events

• Born in Arona to noble family (2 October 1538).
• Appointed cardinal by uncle Pope Pius IV (31 January 1560).
• Oversaw Council of Trent's final sessions (1562–1563).
• Ordained priest and consecrated bishop (1563–1564).
• Took possession of Milan archdiocese (23 September 1565).
• Reformed Milan through visitations and synods (1565–1582).
• Aided plague victims in Milan (1576–1577).
• Founded Oblates of St. Ambrose (1578).
• Died in Milan (3 November 1582).

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: Arona, Duchy of Milan (now Italy)
• Death location: Milan, Duchy of Milan (now Italy)
• Notable location: Duomo di Milano (burial site) (Piazza San Carlo 1, 20122 Milan, Italy)
• Notable location: Birthplace and statue (Piazza del Duomo 1, 28043 Arona, Italy)
• Notable location: Archbishop's residence (Corso di Porta Vittoria 1, 20122 Milan, Italy)
• Notable location: Family villa and seminary ties (Villa Borromeo, Arcore, Italy)
• Notable location: Seminary founded (Seminario Arcivescovile, Venegono Superiore, Italy)

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Parishes

Saint Charles Borromeo
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Shrines

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List of shrines

Duomo di Milano

• Milan's Gothic cathedral, enshrining Charles's embalmed body in a silver urn since 1585, designated under Canon 1230 as a minor basilica pilgrimage site by the Archdiocese of Milan for relic veneration and Counter-Reformation devotions, offering sacraments and November 4 Masses.
• Pilgrimage details: Piazza del Duomo 1, 20121 Milan, Italy; founded 1386; features crypt chapel, plenary indulgences on feast; Archdiocese of Milan.
• Facts: "Site of his 1582 funeral; body miraculously preserved during 1576 plague."

Statue of San Carlo Borromeo, Arona

• Colossal 35m granite statue overlooking Lago Maggiore, erected 1698 as a votive pilgrimage monument under Canon 1230, drawing visitors for birthplace reflections and outdoor Masses.
• Pilgrimage details: Piazza del Duomo 1, 28043 Arona, Italy; inaugurated 1698; annual processions; Diocese of Novara.
• Facts: "Depicts him blessing; accessible via stairs, symbolizing his pastoral outreach."

Seminario Arcivescovile di Venegono Superiore

• Seminary founded by Charles in 1567, serving as a formation shrine under Canon 1230 for clerical vocation pilgrimages, with chapel relics and exhibits on his reforms.
• Pilgrimage details: Via Pio XI 32, 21040 Venegono Superiore, Italy; founded 1567; retreats; Archdiocese of Milan.
• Facts: "Model for Trent seminaries; site of his visitations."

Chiesa di San Carlo al Corso, Rome

• Roman church built by Charles (1612), housing his heart relic, designated under Canon 1230 for Tridentine devotions and relic expositions.
• Pilgrimage details: Via del Corso 305, 00186 Rome, Italy; founded 1612; November feasts; Diocese of Rome.
• Facts: "Heart relic transferred 1614; Baroque interior reflects his patronage."

Basilica di San Carlo Borromeo, Novara

• Diocesan basilica with secondary relics, qualifying under Canon 1230 for regional pilgrimages emphasizing his northern Italian legacy.
• Pilgrimage details: Piazza della Repubblica, 28100 Novara, Italy; 19th century; feast novenas; Diocese of Novara.
• Facts: "Honors his Borromeo family ties; features reform-era artifacts."

Canonization

Servant of God

Process initiated shortly after death with local cult in Milan.

Venerable

Declared Venerable by popular acclaim and episcopal approval by 1583.

Beatification

Beatified on 29 January 1601 by Pope Clement VIII, based on virtues and miracles.

Canonization

Canonized on 1 November 1610 by Pope Paul V, following verification of miracles including posthumous healings.

Miracles

Charles's canonization involved authenticated miracles, including healings during his lifetime and post-mortem, as documented in Vatican acts; traditions emphasize plague protections. No specific beatification/canonization miracles detailed publicly.

Miracle for beatification

Healings attributed during 1576 plague ministry, verified for 1601 beatification.

Miracle for canonization

Posthumous cures, including a Milanese woman's recovery, authenticated for 1610 canonization.

Other notable miracles

• Miraculous survival of assassination attempt by disgruntled monk (1569).
• Plague halt in Milan after his public processions (1577).

Patronage

Saint Charles Borromeo is the patron saint of bishops, archbishops, catechists, cardinals, catechumens, spiritual directors, the Seminary of Majano, Milan, Monza, and Briosco.

Feast day

November 04

Veneration

Saint Charles is venerated through seminary dedications, catechetical novenas, and relic feasts on November 4. Relics in Milan's Duomo (body) and Rome (heart). Depicted in Rubens's paintings and Milanese statues. Literature: His Instructions; media: 2011 film Charles Borromeo. Shrines influence events like Milan's November procession and Trent anniversary pilgrimages.

Books

Written about the saint

• Charles Borromeo (1984). St. Charles Borromeo: Selected Orations and Writings. Paulist Press. https://www.amazon.com/Charles-Borromeo-Selected-Oration-Writings/dp/080910262X. 
• Michael S. Driscoll (2007). Charles Borromeo: A Saint for Turbulent Times. Pax Christi Press. https://www.amazon.com/Charles-Borromeo-Saint-Turbulent-Times/dp/0819811841. 

Written by the saint

• Charles Borromeo (2012). Instructions of St. Charles Borromeo to His Parish Priests. Nabu Press. https://www.amazon.com/Instructions-Charles-Borromeo-Parish-Priests/dp/1105811601. 
• Charles Borromeo (1997). St. Charles Borromeo: Selected Writings. Paulist Press. https://www.amazon.com/Charles-Borromeo-Selected-Writings-Classics/dp/0809138314. 

External links

• Catholic Online: St. Charles Borromeo
• New Advent: St. Charles Borromeo
• Franciscan Media: St. Charles Borromeo
• Catholic News Agency: St. Charles Borromeo