(1538-1584) Charles was the third of six children born to a wealthy, noble family in Italy. Despite a speech impediment, he became a civil and canon lawyer by 21. His uncle was elected Pope Pius IV a year later and requested that Charles come to Rome as a papal diplomat. Charles was soon made a cardinal and supervisor of several religious orders. He was made Archbishop of Milan and participated in the conclave that elected Pope Saint Pius V. He had a major influence on the Council of Trent, addressing the issues of the Protestant Reformation, and was a primary drafter of the Roman Catechism. Charles was very influential in bringing about the needed reforms in the Church during the Counter-Reformation.
Reform is necessary in any organization with humans in it. Reform is also the program of recovery, re-ordering our lives to keep God at the center. He is powerful; He can restore sanity, so let us allow Him (Steps 1-3).
“If we wish to make any progress in the service of God we must begin every day of our life with new eagerness. We must keep ourselves in the presence of God as much as possible and have no other view or end in all our actions but the divine honor” (Saint Charles Borromeo).
Reflection by Brad Farmer