When I think about saints, I think of someone who lived an ordinary life and who has lived an extraordinary life with virtues and faith. We can learn from their lives so we could get inspire and grow in faith.
November 4 — Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop (1538 – 1584)
He was born into a royal family, ordained at 25, he was appointed Cardinal Deacon of Milan. He was instrumental in the success of the Council of Trent and was an important reformer of both clergy and laity.
He donated most of his income to charity even his own bed, living an exemplary life without luxury, and he feed thousands of people during the plague in Milan. He established, school for the poorest, colleges and seminaries to better prepare priests to serve their congregations. There are many schools and churches named after him around the world and St. Junipero Serra named the famous Carmel by the Sea, California Mission, Mission San Carlos Borremo in his honor.
Despite that he was born from a high class family, he end up devoting his life to the church and helping the poorest of the poor.
“Be sure that you first preach by the way you live. If you do not, people will notice that you say one thing, but live otherwise, and your words will bring only cynical laughter and a derisive shake of the head.” (St. Charles Borromeo)
This week pray a Rosary in his honor, his feast day is November 4 th.
Always add an extra decade when you pray the rosary for the souls of purgatory. I heard that this was suggested by Our Lady of Lourdes when She appeared to St. Bernadette.
