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Friends of the Rosary,
Today, November 4th, the Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo (1538-1584), bishop.
Charles Borromeo, the bishop of Milan, came from a wealthy, aristocratic Italian family. He lived a lavish life, emulating the lifestyles of the rich and famous of the Renaissance in the sixteenth century. His maternal uncle, from the powerful Medici family, was the pope, who would later make him a cardinal-deacon at the age of twenty-three.
When Count Frederick Borromeo passed away, many people thought that Charles, who became the head of the Borromeo family, would give up his clerical life and marry now that he had inherited the title. But he did not. He became a priest.
In 1570, a famine erupted, and Charles Borromeo took the lead, bringing food to feed three thousand people a day for three months. Six years later, a two-year plague swept through the region. Borromeo mobilized priests, religious, and lay volunteers to feed and care for the 60,000 to 70,000 people.
During the plague, he walked barefoot in the public streets, carrying a cross, with a rope around his neck, offering himself as a victim to God for the transgressions of his people.
He personally cared for many who were sick and dying. In the process, Borromeo incurred huge debts, depleting his resources to feed, clothe, administer medical care, and build shelters for thousands of plague-stricken people.
As if the natural disasters facing Borromeo were not enough, a disgruntled priest attempted to assassinate him. As Charles knelt in prayer before the altar, the would-be assassin pulled a gun and shot him. At first, Charles thought he was dying, but the bullet only bruised him.
He died, dressed in sackcloth and ashes, holding a picture of Jesus Crucified in his hands.
Ave Maria!
Come, Holy Spirit, come!
To Jesus through Mary!
Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
Please give us the grace to respond with joy!
+ Mikel Amigot w/ María Blanca | RosaryNetwork.com, New York
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