Charles Borromeo
was born in 1538 and
died in 1584. He is considered one of the most important bishops in the history
of the Church and an outstanding figure in the Catholic Reformation. He is the
patron of bishops, catechists and seminarians.
Born into a
wealthy family, having
Pope Pius IV as an uncle, Charles received an excellent education achieving a
doctorate in civil, as well as canon law. At a time when the Body of Christ, the Church, was
beginning a 500year old shattering and splintering process that goes on to this
very day – with individuals and groups thinking they have a "better
idea" – Charles was in the forefront of the Catholic Re-formation.
He was a churchman through and through - fighting with all his might to keep
the Church of Christ as Christ gave it. To this end he drafted a Catechism for
the Council of Trent (the official listing of Church teaching on the
wide variety of topics), and he contributed to the reform of liturgical books
and music.
Seeing how the
clergy had become lax and
self-indulgent, he formed a society of diocesan priests called: The Society of St. Ambrose and St. Charles
(The Ambrosians). Many seminaries and parishes who hold fast to the
teachings of the Church are named in his honor.
May all parishes named after him, and institutes of spiritual formation,
be reminded often of its true inclusion and membership in the Church of Christ;
and as Jesus truly is the Good Shepherd
leading all to everlasting life, even those who have splintered themselves
off from the main flock, may we pray continually for unity among all those who
are legitimately baptized and bear the name of Christian: that we all may be one, AGAIN!
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.
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