Written by Barb Spies, OFS, Director of Mission Services and Pastoral Care

In the mid-1500s, St. Charles Borromeo lived in Milan, Italy. He was a Secular Franciscan, professing as a member of the Third Order of St. Francis. He came from a wealthy family and was given an option to take on the role of heir to his family property after his older brother died. He chose to be a priest instead and eventually became the Archbishop of Milan. The plague struck Italy during his time as archbishop. He did not hide from the world. While civil authorities fled for their own safety, he remained in the city, where he ministered to the sick and the dying, helping those in want. He saw that the curtains in his palace, his clothes and other possessions were turned into money for medicine for the poor. He used up his own funds and went into debt to provide food for the hungry. Charles was usually seen in rags, even though he was the archbishop. He served as the Protector of the Franciscan Order. He taught catechism, found the sick and elderly places to stay, established schools and ran the diocese. He lived a life of prayer. He once said, “Here all kinds of poor will be housed, outsiders as well as Milanese; men, women, children because charity knows no distinction of nations, and we are all brothers and sisters in the Lord.”

We just celebrated All Saints Day, reminding us of the many saints who have gone before us, offering us a path of service to God’s people. St. Charles Borromeo is one of those models for action. The Franciscan Friars who made their way up the coast of California, establishing missions in the late 1700s, remembered this saint and named a church for him in Carmel. This beautiful mission church reminds of us of the work of this individual in serving those in need. St. Junipero Serra loved this mission church and is buried there.

We have opportunities to help those around us, just as St. Charles Borromeo did. We can assist people locally through meal programs and food pantries. We can offer monetary assistance to those suffering the effects of Hurricane Melissa. The Franciscan Friars in Jamaica are seeking support for the losses the people of the area surrounding Negril have endured. Every bit of help makes a difference to those in need. As St. Charles Borromeo noted, “we are all brothers and sisters in the Lord.”

Blessed Angela: “The love of God is contained in doing His will.”