'The Guiding Light of the Council of Trent'
FREE Catholic Classes
+J.M.J.+
by Monsignor Charles M. Mangan
Whenever the Holy Father invokes his apostolic authority to canonize or beatify someone, he does so not only for the honor and glory of God (which is the primary reason) but also for the edification of the Christian faithful throughout the world. The Church recognizes in this new saint or blessed--who has become an outstanding example of holiness--a remarkable receptivity to the mysterious workings of the Holy Spirit.
Even though Saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584), whose liturgical commemoration is celebrated annually on November 4, was canonized in 1610, this brilliant, unassuming and saintly cardinal of the Church still remains--nearly 400 years later--a stellar example of Christian perfection.
Monsignor Achille Ratti, once Doctor of the Ambrosian Library in Milan, Italy and later known to the world as Pope Pius XI (1922-1939), acknowledging in the early 1900s the utter greatness of the one-time Bishop of Milan and noting his fervent desire for authentic reform among his clergy and laity, hailed Saint Charles: "Indeed he was a living temple of the Holy Spirit and the unspotted purity of his life made him the minister and the irrefutable model of the salutary general reform."
Saint Charles knew well that to be a "living temple of the Holy Spirit" is the simple but challenging command of Christ in His Gospel. The Third Person of the Blessed Trinity is to find a sure home in the soul of each disciple of Jesus. Pope John Paul II, in his 1994 Apostolic Letter Tertio Millennio Adveniente ("As the Third Millennium Draws Near"), wrote that the theological virtue of hope, which is inspired by the same Paraclete, "encourages the Christian not to lose sight of the final goal which gives meaning and value to life, and . . . offers solid and profound reasons for a daily commitment to transform reality in order to make it correspond to God's plan." (#46)
It is clear that the Holy Spirit bestowed in abundance upon Cardinal Borromeo the supernatural virtue of hope. He turned often to prayer; he did not fail to communicate daily with the Creator, humbly imploring Him to grant him the necessary grace so that he would become a saint. Then, after having been nourished in prayer, Saint Charles went forward to serve his priests and people. He had a predilection for the poor and continually sought to alleviate their distress.
The extraordinary life of Saint Charles Borromeo is evidence of the overriding influence of the Consoler. With the utmost concern, he cheerfully yielded to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. He realized that his task was quite straightforward: to allow the Counselor to work through him so that others would come to the Good Shepherd and be saved.
Instead of worrying about his status as a prince of the Church and nephew of Pope Pius IV (1559-1565) and attending to his own needs, Cardinal Borromeo freely spent himself in ensuring that the deficiencies--both spiritual and temporal--of those under his charge were overcome. He diligently applied himself to caring for the spiritual and material welfare of his flock.
Living during a period which saw much turmoil emanating from the Protestant Reformation, Saint Charles did not lose his profound sense of inner peace. So convinced was he that the Sanctifier would not abandon him that he proceeded to condemn fearlessly the myriad abuses masquerading as "real progress": doctrinal errors, liturgical faults, etc. Together with such giants of the Catholic Counter-Reformation as Pope Saint Pius V (1565-1572), Saint Philip Neri (1515-1595), Saint Ignatius Loyola (c. 1491-1556) and Saint Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621), Cardinal Borromeo--"the guiding light of the Council of Trent"--contributed to the Church's understanding of herself.
Saint Charles Borromeo is fittingly cited as a special friend of the Holy Spirit. His unfeigned love of God and neighbor is proof positive that the Advocate stirred up within him the thirst for Paradise. May the efficacious prayers of this faithful man of God, loyal son of Mary and intrepid ambassador of the Church help us open ourselves to the intimations of the Holy Spirit and one day enjoy the unfathomable reward which he now experiences.
Originally published in "The Catholic Servant." Used with permission.
Contact
Mary's Field
https://www.catholic.org
, VA
Monsignor Charles M. Mangan - Official, 390 66616-1125
fathermangan@catholic.org
Keywords
Saint Charles Borromeo
More Catholic PRWire
Showing 1 - 50 of 4,716
A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain
Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.
The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul
A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.
Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell
My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz
Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell
Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online
Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online
Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online
State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online
Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online
2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online
Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online
Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online
Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online
Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online
Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online
Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online
Full Circle
Robert Gieb
Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite
Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony
Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell
World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online
Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA
Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online
A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe
Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly
Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard
The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely
Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow
A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow
Modernity & Morality
Dan Shea
Just a Minute
Sarah Reinhard
Catholic identity ... triumphant reemergence!
Hugh McNichol
Edging God Out
Paul Sposite
Burying a St. Joseph Statue
Cheryl Dickow
George Bush Speaks on Papal Visit
Catholic Online
Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe
Mary Regina Morrell
Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service
Lisa Hendey
Easter... A Way of Life
Paul Spoisite
Papal initiative...peace and harmony!
Hugh McNichol
Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection!
Hugh McNichol
Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message
Catholic Online
Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa
Catholic Online
Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
Catholic Online
Cardinal Zen's Meditations for Via Crucis
Catholic Online
Interview With Vatican Aide on Jewish-Catholic Relations
Catholic Online
Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum
Catholic Online
Holy Saturday...anticipation!
Hugh McNichol
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
St. Faustina Kowalska
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Saint of the Day for Wednesday, Oct 4th, 2023
-
Popular Saints
-
St. Francis of Assisi
-
Bible
-
Female / Women Saints
-
7 Morning Prayers you need to get your day started with God
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Chaplain Reveals Unrest at Columbia University Caused by Communists
-
Discovering Who We Are: God's Truth in Scripture
-
Pope Francis Advises Parish Priests on Fostering a Missionary Church
-
5 Reasons Going To Church Is Important (even on days you feel like you can skip)
-
U.S. Catholic Parishes Experience Resurgence of Traditional Practices
Daily Catholic
- Daily Readings for Saturday, May 04, 2024
- St. Florian: Saint of the Day for Saturday, May 04, 2024
- The Universal Prayer (attributed to Pope Clement Xi): Prayer of the Day for Saturday, May 04, 2024
- Daily Readings for Friday, May 03, 2024
- St. James the Lesser: Saint of the Day for Friday, May 03, 2024
- Prayer before Starting on a Journey: Prayer of the Day for Friday, May 03, 2024
We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.