Patron Saint of the Day- November 4th

November 4th
St. Charles Borromeo

St. Charles was born in Italy to Count Gilbert Borromeo and Margaret Medici. His uncle was Pope Pius IV. He began his studies at the Benedictine abbey of Sts. Gratian and Felinus when he was twelve years old.

When he was older, St. Charles served as a legate on diplomatic missions for Pope Pius the IV and was instrumental in reconvening the Council of Trent. When the Count died, Charles declined to take his place as leader of the family, choosing instead to be ordained a priest. That same year he became Bishop of Milan, and oversaw the creating of the catechism, breviary, and missal called for by the Council of Trent.

He eventually became Bishop of Trent and made drastic changes there to improve the manners and morality. He reorganized the diocese to make it one of the most effective in the area, instituting seminaries, confraternities, and aiding colleges. He created a society of secular priests (now called the Oblates of St. Charles) and brought many lapsed Catholics back to the faith.

His feast day is November 4th, and he is the patron saint of learning and the arts.

Links of Interest:
Explanation of the Council of Trent at the Catholic Encyclopedia
Canons and decrees of the Council of Trent at Hanover College

Prayer of St. Charles from St. Charles Borromeo Church in Picayune, MS

Almighty God, you have generously made known to human beings the mysteries of

your life through Jesus Christ your Son in the Holy Spirit.
Enlighten my mind to know these mysteries which your Church treasures and
teaches.
Move my heart to love them and my will to live in accord with them.
Give me the ability to teach this Faith to others without pride, without
ostentation, and without personal gain.
Let me realize that I am simply your instrument for bringing others to the
knowledge of the wonderful things you have done for all your creatures.
Help me to be faithful to this task that you have entrusted to me.
Amen.