Biography
Charles was a nephew of Pope Pius IV, who appointed him as a cardinal and administrator of Milan at age 21. Charles was instrumental in guiding the final session of the Council of Trent and writing the Roman Catechism. Ordained a priest and bishop, he finally moved to Milan, where he undertook a massive, rigorous reform of the corrupt and spiritually impoverished diocese. He established seminaries to educate ignorant clergy, enforced discipline, and reduced his own household to a life of strict poverty. During the great plague and famine of 1576, when secular officials fled, Charles remained in Milan, personally tending to the sick and using his own fortune to feed 70,000 people daily. He survived an assassination attempt by a rogue monastic order. He died of exhaustion at age 46.
Miracles & Signs
- ✦Surviving an assassination attempt when a bullet fired at him at point-blank range failed to pierce his robes
Wisdom & Quotes
“If a tiny spark of God's love already burns within you, do not expose it to the wind, for it may get blown out.”
“Be sure that you first preach by the way you live.”