Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop

Brief Background:

St. Charles Borromeo was born on October 2, 1538, in Arona, Italy, into a noble family. He was the nephew of Pope Pius IV, who appointed him a cardinal at a young age. Despite his privileged background, Charles lived a life of deep humility, simplicity, and dedication to the Church.

He played a major role in the Council of Trent (1545–1563), which reformed and renewed the Catholic Church during the Counter-Reformation. As Archbishop of Milan, he worked tirelessly to implement the reforms of the Council, especially in improving the education of priests, establishing seminaries, and restoring discipline and holiness among clergy and laity alike.

St. Charles was also known for his compassion during the plague of 1576, when he personally cared for the sick, organized aid for the poor, and led public processions of prayer and penance. His life was marked by prayer, charity, and reform.

He died on November 3, 1584, at the age of 46, and was canonized in 1610 by Pope Paul V. He is the patron saint of Seminarians, bishops, Catechists and spiritual directors,

the sick and those suffering from plague or epidemic.

REFLECTION:

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to listen to our middle school students deliver their speeches as candidates for the Student Council positions of Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President, and President. I was genuinely impressed by how well many of them presented themselves. Some spoke with such clarity and confidence — their voices projected well, their posture was strong, and they carried themselves with maturity. A few were even creative enough to include catchy slogans that tied in with their names.

As I listened, I noticed a common theme in their messages — a desire to serve their peers and the greater community. One student, in particular, stood out by saying that they wanted to serve not only the Maryknoll community but also those beyond our school, which I thought was a beautiful reflection of true leadership. Each student highlighted a gift, quality, or trait that they would bring to the role they were seeking, reminding me that every person has unique gifts meant to serve others.

This reminded me of what St. Paul wrote in his Letter to the Romans: “If prophecy, in proportion to faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:6–8)

In these verses, Paul names the many ways people can serve within the Christian community. Each of these can also serve as a beautiful guide for our newly elected student leaders — or anyone entrusted with leadership:

• “If prophecy, in proportion to faith” – Speak and lead with truth and humility. Let your words come from faith and integrity, not pride or pressure.
• “If ministry, in ministering” – Serve with a genuine heart. Leadership means rolling up your sleeves and being willing to help wherever needed.
• “If one is a teacher, in teaching” – Share knowledge and wisdom. Teach others through example and patience.
• “If one exhorts, in exhortation” – Encourage and uplift those around you. Be the voice of positivity and hope for your peers.
• “If one contributes, in generosity” – Give freely — your time, your attention, and your energy. Generosity isn’t measured by size, but by sincerity.
• “If one is over others, with diligence” – Lead with responsibility and care. Stay focused, humble, and dependable in your role.
• “If one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness” – Show kindness and forgiveness with a joyful spirit. Let your compassion reflect God’s love.

This list from St. Paul could easily be handed to our student leaders as a “leadership guide” — a reminder that leadership is not about privilege, but about service. It’s also a good reflection for anyone who holds responsibility, whether at school, at home, or in the parish.

In the end, Paul’s message is a reminder for all of us as members of the Body of Christ: we each have different gifts, but one mission — to use what God has given us for the good of others. When we lead with faith, serve with joy, and love with sincerity, we build a stronger, more compassionate community where Christ is at the center.