St. Charles Borromeo

Patron Saint of Bishops, Catechists, and Seminarians

St. Charles Borromeo was an Italian bishop and reformer in the 16th century. Even though he was born into a wealthy family, Charles dedicated his life to serving the Church. Shortly after his ordination, he became Archbishop of Milan in 1564. To combat the corruption and ignorance that had influenced the Protestant Reformation, Charles established many seminaries, training programs, and communities for parish priests. He enforced decrees from the Council of Trent about sacred worship and abolished the selling of indulgences. He died from a fever in 1584. "Be sure that you first preach by the way you live." – St. Charles Borromeo