Reflection on St Charles Borromeo (Br Edward Seah)

When I was reflecting on the life of St Charles Borromeo, somehow I was reminded, to some extent, of St. John Baptist De La Salle, the Founder of the Lasallian Schools.

St. La Salle was born in Rheims in France while St. Borromeo was from Arona, Italy. It seems to me that both life stories may not be as interesting to children as compared to the life of St. Francis of Assisi. But they are certainly very inspiring for the adults.

Both Saints La Salle and Borromeo lost their fathers while they were still young and had to take responsibility in the management of their family affairs which would include looking after their younger siblings. This must have prepared them for heavier responsibilities and commitment as required of them later on. Both had their studies disrupted for a while but were able to continue later on leading to doctoral degrees.

St. La Salle’s maternal family, the Moet, were well known vineyard owners while Borromeo’s maternal family was the powerful Medici from Florence. Both men had uncles who supported their involvement in the Church by providing exposures to some of the church’s offices. Saints La Salle and Borromeo became priests, though the latter eventually became the Archbishop of Milan.

It was significant that both observed or experienced abuses in the church and responded by serving the Lord with all their might. St La Salle accepted his bishop’s ban on celebrating mass publicly and so continued focusing on his ministry of providing education to the young, especially the poor, and with the formation of teachers. St. Borromeo on the other hand believed that abuses in the church arose from clergy ignorance and swung into action by establishing seminaries, colleges and communities for the education of candidates for holy orders. As Archbishop of Milan, he was credited in the re-organising of diocesan administration; calling of provincial and diocesan synods, made regular and systemic pastoral visits; opened a seminary entrusted to the Jesuits and to the Oblates of St Ambrose. He also promoted religious renewal in his archdiocese.

As I reflected on their lives, I realized that both Saints La Salle and Borromeo were single-minded and very mature in their faith. They did not allow the weaknesses and sins of the church to destroy their faith and zeal in working for God. Instead they focused solely on doing God’s will, spreading God’s grace as they toil from place to place. In the end, they made a difference in the lives of many.

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Stay tuned for the next post by Br Gregory Chan on 11th Nov 2010.