November 4 Celebration of Saints

November 4 Celebration of Saints

Saint Charles Borromeo

Charles Borromeo was born into a family of wealth and historic nobility on October 2, 1538 in Milan, Italy. He was a Catholic priest, archbishop and cardinal during the period of Counter-Reformation against the Protestant Reformation.

Carlo Borromeo was made archbishop of Milan in 1564 and began a complete reformation of the archdiocese. He restored dignity to church services and established colleges, communities and seminaries dedicated to the education of those who wished to enter holy orders.

The year 1576 brought crop failures and a plague. Although many fled the city, Charles stayed to help care for the ill and give last rites to the dying. He went into debt paying to provide food for the hungry.

Carlo Borromeo fell ill with fever and ague during his annual retreat in 1584. His condition became worse after he returned to Milan, and he died on November 4, 1584 at the age of 46.

He was beatified in 1602 by Pope Clement VIII and was canonized a saint on November 1, 1610 by Pope Paul V.

Saint Charles Borromeo is the patron saint of seminarians, catechists and bishops. His images may portray him in robes, barefoot, a rope around his neck, as archbishop carrying a cross and one hand raised in blessing.

Read more about Saint Charles Borromeo.

Other Saints for Today

Other saints for this day include:

Saint Birrstan, Saint Clarus, Saint Joannicus of Mount Olympus, Blessed Martha Le Bouteiller, Saint Modesta, Saint Nicander and Hermas, Saints Philologus and Patrobas, Saint Pierius, Saint Vitalis.