Charles Borromeo's early years - By: Bob and Penny Lord

Saint Charles Borromeo grew up in an aristocratic, truly Catholic background. Charles was born in the castle of Arona on the breathtakingly beautiful Lake Maggiore, one of the most exquisite of the lakes of Italy, north of Milan, bordering the Swiss border.

So Charles grew up in an aristocratic, truly Catholic background. Charles was born in the castle of Arona on the breathtakingly beautiful Lake Maggiore, one of the most exquisite of the lakes of Italy, north of Milan, bordering the Swiss border. It was the year 1538.

Charles was a very serious boy, and sincerely pious. His family played a crucial role in matters of the Faith. They were very devout Catholics. Charles was surrounded by a number of priests, bishops and even a few Cardinals and His Holiness, Pope Pius IV gracing his parents with their presence.

It was in this solid background that he became so strong in the Faith. This God given gift would stay with him all the days of his life.

At age twelve or somewhere in his early teens, Charles was given the Benedictine Abbey of Sts. Gratinian and Felinus in Arona by his uncle, Julius Caesar Borromeo, for his very own. At that time, he also received the clerical tonsure. It was interesting how seriously Charles took this gift from his uncle, looking on it as more of a responsibility, than as a means of adding to his personal wealth.

As young as he was, he made a point of reminding his father that income from the Abbey could not be used for their household or for any secular purpose, including paying for the upkeep of their palace. He used the income from the property for the maintenance of the Abbey, for his religious education, and for the care of the poor and homeless.

He was very strict at this early age and would not use any part of it even for his secular education. He observed the rules beyond the letter of the law. He was very strict, and although in his position, he would have been allowed to bend them, it was not in keeping with his religious beliefs.

In preparation for a career in service to the Church, he learned Latin in Milan. While attending the university of Pavia, he was taught under the tutelage of Francis Alciati, who later became a Cardinal.

Charles had a speech impediment which, coupled with a slowness in grasping the subject material he was given, gave the impression that he was backward. But he was like the tortoise in the account of the tortoise and the hare. He was slow but solid. His experience and what he learned would be used to defend the Church of the 16th Century.

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About the Author

Bob and Penny Lord are renowned Catholic authors and television hosts on EWTN, Global Catholic television. They are prolific writers about the Catholic faith, especially the Saints for which they have been dubbed "experts on the Saints." For more about Saint Charles Borromeo go to http://www.bobandpennylord.com/St_Charles_Borromeo.htm

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