Saint Charles Borromeo(1538-1584) was the Archbishop of Milan from 1564 to 1584. The Borromeo family was one of the most ancient and wealthy in Lombardy, made famous by several notable men both in the church and state. The saint joined an abbey and later Charles attended the University of Pavia, where he applied himself to the study of civil and canon law. Due to the death of his father and elder brother, he was requested to lead a family life. After a time, he resumed his studies and pursued a doctorate in Canon and Civil Law.
On December 25, 1559, Borromeo’s uncle Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Medici was elected as Pope Pius IV. Later he became the cardinal and was appointed as the supervisor of the Franciscans, Carmelites, and Knights of Malta. Borromeo organized the third and last session of the Council of Trent, in 1562-63. Borromeo was appointed an administrator of the Archdiocese of Milan on 7 February 1560. After four years he was formally appointed archbishop of Milan. The diocese of Milan has about two thousand churches, 170 monasteries, and about 3000 priests, carrying out many necessary reforms. During this time the saint renovated all the monasteries. The saint remained with his people, even when all the officials who were supposed to help the people fled for their lives. He spent even a penny of his savings on the poor. He fed about half a million people every day.
Charles Borromeo, a man of God who loved and helped all, passed away on November 3, 1584, at the age of 46. He was canonized in 1610.