4 November 2019
Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop
We are all pitiable (thanks be to God), and God seeks to lavish His mercy on us all. (Rom 11:32) We should be transformed by contemplating this graciousness of God to us. Jesus admonishes our actions to reflect His kindness: “when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.” (Lk 14:13-14)
Charles did this. We may learn much from how a saint is depicted. Though from a noble family, and made archbishop to the Italian city that is one of the banking capitals of the continent to this day, St. Charles is depicted barefoot. He was a bishop whose mind at the time of implementing the council of Trent, sought to bring a true renewal of faith and Christian living to his diocese, leading by example. He not only worked on catechetical texts and encouraged instruction in the basics of the Catholic faith throughout the diocese and beyond, he also faced with great courage the tragedies that struck Milan. In 1571, food shortages led to mass starvation in Northern Italy. St. Charles not only personally organized the feeding of a couple thousand of those most in need in Milan, but by word and example mobilized other leaders to truly contribute to feeding the starving in their streets. Five years later, plague broke out in the city. While parish priests stayed home to avoid the sick, the archbishop wrote his will (in case of death) and began visiting the most full hospitals to minister to the dying and encourage them in the midst of their suffering. He led priests and people to renewed charity, tending to the victims, and offering public prayers for them (and for forgiveness for those whose hearts were still hardened). It was at this time that the saintly cardinal led prayerful processions barefoot through the streets of Milan. To this day, for the love which the Catholic faith bid him have for the poor and suffering St. Charles is still beloved in Milan, and throughout Italy. He had realized how pitiable he was, and had entered into the pity that the Lord has on us all.