Borromeo was an Italian cardinal and archbishop known as one of the prominent figures of the Counter-Reformation in Italy.
In 1560, he was named cardinal by Pope Pius IV, who was his uncle.
The following year, he founded a college in Pavia, a town of southwestern Lombardy. The school is known today as Almo Collegio Borromeo.
In 1562, he convinced the pope to reconvene the Council of Trent, following a decade of suspension.
In 1562-63, he formed the third and last session of the Council of Trent.
He saved the Council of Trent session, which nearly broke up several times, from collapse.
He largely contributed to the creation of the Tridentine Catechism, a compendium of Catholic doctrine commissioned during the Counter-Reformation by the Council of Trent. The book was published in 1566
Charles gave what he earned to charities. During the plague and famine of 1576, he borrowed money to feed about 70,000 people. He returned the money after years. During the plague and famine, he also ministered to the sick and dying.
Aside from encouraging the pope to renew the Council of Trent, Charles had also rewrote the Catechism.
Charles had also rewritten liturgical texts and music.
He became involved in political turmoil, especially in the Milanese senate, the viceroy, the rebellious canons of Santa Maria della Scalla, and the Order of the Humiliati.
He also formed the Oblates of St. Ambrose as a reform of religious orders. But some orders opposed it.
When he was the superior general of the reform order, a Humiliati priest, Girolamo Donato Farina, fired at him while praying at the altar in 1559. The bullet bruised him only.
Requests to forgive Farina and his accomplices were made. But they were executed.
The Humiliati was a reform order established in the 11th century but turned corrupt.
Charles was also a spiritual mentor to St. Aloysius Gonzaga. He gave him First Holy Communion at 12 in 1580.
He is the patron saint among others of the following:
bishops, catechists, cardinals, seminarians, spiritual directors, spiritual leaders, and patients suffering from stomach conditions.
His contributions to Counter-Reformation include founding seminaries and colleges for lay students. He also changed the way the church was organized to make it listen to all people - rich and poor alike.
Charles was born into a wealthy family. He was the third among six children.
He took up and finished theology and law at the University of Pavia in Milan.
He was ordained a priest at 25. In 1564, he was appointed archbishop of Milan. He was Milan’s archbishop until his death in 1584.
He died on November 3 1584 at the age of 46.
Charles was beatified by Clement VIII in Rome on May 12, 1602.
He was canonized by Paul V in Rome on November 1, 1610.
His feast day is celebrated on November 4.
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