Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament

November 4, 2026

Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop

Before Charles Borromeo was 22, he was named a cardinal, administrator of the diocese of Milan, and secretary of state of the Vatican. And he was not yet ordained a priest. While his uncle, Pope Paul IV, certainly played a significant role in his advancement, he was an able administrator and a holy man.

He ably assisted in the reform of the Church while serving in the last session of the Council of Trent. Returning to his diocese after the Council, he undertook the composition of the Catechism of the Council of Trent.

He was finally ordained a priest and a bishop, and after his uncle’s death, the new bishop allowed Charles to take full possession of the Diocese of Milan. There, he began implementing the reforms of Trent in a diocese that had gone 80 years without a resident bishop.

The Council had developed a plan for the reform of the Church, and Charles implemented it by creating seminaries to form priests who understood the nature and mission of the Church. He ensured the liturgical reforms were carried out and that priests reverently celebrated the Mass in its reformed style. He asked priests to encourage frequent Communion as a means of growing in holiness. He began the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine to ensure that children learned the truths of the faith.

He also led his priests in caring for the victims of the plague that ravished his diocese. His Eucharistic focus inspired his zeal to reach out to those suffering, despite the danger.

Charles encouraged “a devout celebration of the Eucharist and the adoration of Christ present in the Eucharist. May he enflame within us the love for the Savior who wanted to remain with us under the species of bread and wine.

Let Us Pray:

Creator God, you inspired Charles Borromeo to live a life of fidelity, service, devotion to the Eucharist, and care for the poor and suffering. Send that same zeal into our hearts to love and serve you in the least of our brothers and sisters. Amen.