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Charles was born in Lombardy to the venerable noble Borromeo family in the year of Our Lord 1538. At a young age he inherited a wealthy church position, but Charles insisted that everything not strictly needed for his studies be given to the poor instead. When Charles was twenty-three, he was made cardinal-deacon by his uncle, the newly-elected Pope Pius IV. Among many other assignments, Charles was made secretary of state, and to him fell the task of reorganizing the Council of Trent after years of limbo. After many more years of hard work, the great council finally concluded and its decrees were confirmed. Despite pressure to leave his church offices and focus on his noble family, Charles arranged to be quietly ordained a priest, and he was soon consecrated bishop. In a time of laxity Charles was a force for reform, and an example of personal humility and austerity. He oversaw the composition of the Catechism of Trent; helped revise the Missal and Divine Office; and led his flock through a serious plague at great personal cost. On one occasion he was almost assassinated by enemies of his reforms. His influence was key in the election of Pope St. Pius V. Charles died at the young age of forty-six, and is hailed as a patron of all bishops.
AT Milan, St. Charles Borromeo, cardinal, and bishop of that city, who was ranked among the Saints by Paul V on account of the holiness of his life and his renown for miracles.
At Bologna, the holy martyrs Vitalis and Agricola. The former was first the servant of the latter, and afterwards his partner and colleague in martyrdom. He was subjected by the persecutors to all kinds of torments, so that there was no part of his body without wounds. After having suffered with constancy, he yielded up his soul to God in prayer. Agricola was put to death by being fastened to a cross with many nails. St. Ambrose relates that being present at their translation, he took the martyr’s nails, his glorious blood, and the wood of his cross, and deposited them under the consecrated altars.
The same day, the birthday [into heaven] of the Saints Philologus and Patrobas, disciples of the apostle St. Paul.
At Autun, St. Proculus, martyr.
In Vexin (in the North of France), St. Clarus, priest and martyr.
At Ephesus, St. Porphyry, martyr, under the emperor Aurelian.
At Myra, in Lycia, the holy martyrs Nicander, bishop, and Hermas, priest, under the governor Libanius.
The same day, the birthday [into heaven] of St. Pierius, priest of Alexandria, who, being deeply versed in the sacred Scriptures, leading a very pure life, and freed from all impediments in order to apply to Christian philosophy, taught the people with great renown, and published various treatises, under the emperors Carus and Diocletian, when Theonas governed the church of Alexandria. After the persecution, he spent the remainder of his life at Rome, where he rested in peace.
At Rhodez, in France, blessed Amantius, bishop, whose life was resplendent with sanctity and miracles.
In Bithynia, St. Joannicius, abbot.
In Hungary, at Alba-Regale, the demise of St. Emeric, confessor, son of St. Stephen, king of Hungary.
In the monastery of Cerfroid, in the diocese of Meaux, St. Felix de Valois, founder of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the Redemption of Captives. His feast is celebrated on the 20th of this month by order of Innocent XI.
At Treves, St. Modesta, virgin.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.