Saint charles borromeo biography for kids

Who was our patron Saint Charles Borromeo? Charles Borromeo was born on October 2, 1538, near the Alps in Lake Maggiore, Italy. He was the second son of distinguished and wealthy parents who raised him in an extremely religious atmosphere.

When he was twelve, he was given tonsure, which is the cutting of hair on top of the head. This marked him for the priesthood and he was educated with that goal in mind.

Saint charles borromeo biography for kids

Charles studied theology and also earned his degree in law at the University of Pavia in Milan. Three weeks after he received his degree, his mother’s brother became Pope and called his brilliant young nephew to Rome.

Almost immediately, Pope Pius IV made Charles, aged 22, a Cardinal of the Church. Because of his skills of organization and dealing with people, the Pope promoted Charles Borromeo to the office of Secretary of State, the Cardinal Protector of several countries and of six religious orders as well as naming him Archbishop of Milan.

He had many friends, played the vio