Charles Borromeo: Selected Orations, Homilies and Writings - (Paperback)

About the Book

Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) became the driving force of reform within the Catholic Church in the wake of the Council of Trent following the Protestant Reformation and the primary reason Trent's dramatic reforms were successful. His remarkable accomplishments in Milan as Archbishop became the model of reform for the rest of Western Europe. Change is never easy, but St. Charles' approach -- deeply biblical, personal, practical and centered on Christ -- offers a road map of reform, even for today. Now for the first time in over 400 years a significant selection of his works appears in the English language. Chapter 1 offers three orations that St Charles gave as Archbishop of Milan to the other Bishops. These texts were among those that Pope Paul VI sent out to the Bishops of the world in 1963 during Vatican II. Chapter 2 contains a selection of homilies on the Eucharist and is followed by a collection of texts that treat the reform of the clergy. The final chapter presents Borromeo's efforts at mobilizing the laity in their own reform. This translation is intended to be faithful to Borromeo's Latin or Italian texts rendered into contemporary English.

Book Synopsis

Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) became the driving force of reform within the Catholic Church in the wake of the Council of Trent following the Protestant Reformation and the primary reason Trent's dramatic reforms were successful. His remarkable accomplishments in Milan as Archbishop became the model of reform for the rest of Western Europe. Change is never easy, but St. Charles' approach - deeply biblical, personal, practical and centered on Christ - offers a road map of reform, even for today. Now for the first time in over 400 years a significant selection of his works appears in the English language.

Chapter 1 offers three orations that St Charles gave as Archbishop of Milan to the other Bishops. These texts were among those that Pope Paul VI sent out to the Bishops of the world in 1963 during Vatican II. Chapter 2 contains a selection of homilies on the Eucharist and is followed by a collection of texts that treat the reform of the clergy. The final chapter presents Borromeo's efforts at mobilizing the laity in their own reform.

This translation is intended to be faithful to Borromeo's Latin or Italian texts rendered into contemporary English.

Review Quotes

"J.R. Cihak and A. Santogrossi have furnished us with a superb edition and translation of some of Charles's most significant texts ... This is an excellent book and one that would make a great gift for seminarians, priests, and even (or above all) bishops." --The Catholic Thing

"The book could be given as a gift to seminarians, priests, and bishops who are looking for something edifying to read, which also show cases homiletical skills at their best. It could be prescribed reading for seminarians in classes on homiletics and for students of church history at any level ... Almost every paragraph in this collection has been beautifully translated and contains deep insights into the similarities between renaissance
era ecclesial decadence and our own, as well as offering readers in the twenty-first century access to the riveting historical drama of the Counter-Reformation." --Reviews in Religion and Theology

"Cihak and Santogrossi have managed to bring alive one of the great figures of the Counter-Reformation. Borromeo is generally known for being a patron of the Arts and a defender of polyphonic chant, but this collection of homilies, speeches and occasional writings showcases the full breadth of Borromeo's genius. This collection will be inspirational for priests, bishops, seminarians and anyone else interested in the topic of how one saint overcame a culture of clerical decadence and turned a sinking Barque of Peter around and got it floating again. In a radically egalitarian world, it also showcases the value of one aristocratic leader with his heart in the right place." --Tracey Rowland, John Paul II Institute, Australia

"There may be only one instance of Papal nepotism within the history of the Church that actually served the good of the Church - Pope Paul IV appointing his non-ordained newphew Charles Borromeo a Cardinal at the age of 22. This book demonstrates why this is true. Fr John Cihak, editor, and Br Ansgar Santogrossi, OSB, translator, have provided for the English speaking Church, long overdue, an excellent selection of St Charles' Orations, homilies and writings that bear witness to his reputation as an ardent reformer, inspiring preacher and practical administrator. In so doing, Charles emerges not only as an exemplary bishop, but more importantly as a beloved Saint. Today's seminarians, priests and bishops, as well as the Catholic laity at large, who desire to further reform the Church in our time to make it vibrant and saintly, will find in this marvelous book St Charles' wisdom, courage and inspiration to help them do so." --Thomas G. Weinandy, OFM, Cap, Capuchin College, USA

"The great bishop of Catholic reform appears here in new light. Many know only Borromeo's demanding ordinances of regular and attentive pastoral practice and of disciplined lay life. But these texts show him renewing the deteriorated church of Milan by setting forth attractive motives for pastors to lead by example and nourish their people by word and sacrament. Borromeo offers high ideals of life and service, drawing on Scripture, the saints and daily life to encourage all to walk resolutely in the way of Christ." --Jared Wicks, S.J, Gregorian University, Italy

"To have the words of this great Bishop, Saint and Reformer resound in the English language is a wonderful contribution. This book will be a marvelous resource for clergy, scholars and anyone who seeks to live a more authentic life in Christ." --Cardinal Mark Ouellet, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops

"This is a timely and important book. St Charles Borromeo's practical wisdom about following Jesus can inspire and guide our ongoing efforts at renewal within ourselves and the Church today." --Alexander K. Sample, Archbishop of Portland, USA

"...this collection of texts is a feast of practical exhortations and instructions for living a Christian life of piety and reform. As many in the Church will readily admit today, this kind of moral reform is still needed in the Universal Church today. In light of this need, readers will be hard pressed to find more a more practical guide and example for reform within the confines of an ecclesiastical institution than Borromeo's writings." --Reading Religion

About the Author

John R. Cihak, S.T.D., is an Official of the Congregation for Bishops and a Papal Master of Ceremonies. A priest of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, USA, he studied philosophy at the University of Notre Dame and obtained his Licentiate and Doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Italy, where he also teaches.

Ansgar Santogrossi, O.S.B., is a Benedictine monk of Mount Angel Abbey and Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon and at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Nebraska, USA.

Charles Borromeo was a Cardinal and Archbishop of Milan, Italy from 1564-1584. he was also a leader within the Counter-Reformation and was responsible for significant reforms in the Catholic Church.