The Life of St. Charles Borromeo - Cardinal Archbishop of Milan #224610

The Oblates of St. Charles in the Diocese of Westminster have long had the intention of publishing an English version of Giussano's Life of their Founder. Now at last this purpose, so many years delayed, is happily accomplished. The time of its fulfilment is opportune, for on the 4th of next November will fall the third centenary of St. Charles's death, at the early age of forty-six years.<br><br>He was born in 1538 when the Lutheran heresy was in its full sway. The schism of England was then complete; and the first meeting of the Council of Trent had been held at Vicenza. He died in 1584, when the north of Germany, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark were lost to the faith. The blood of many martyrs had been shed in England, and the decrees of the Council of Trent had already aroused the profound reaction which has raised the Catholic Church to its present spiritual purity and power. In the brief space of forty-six, or rather of four and twenty years, St. Charles accomplished a work which has made him the patron of the Pastoral Office of the Church, as St. Thomas of Canterbury is the patron of its liberties.