Table of Contents

Foreword Introduction: “Reform from Within” (John R. Cihak) Editor and Translator's Note Chapter 1: Defining Reform from its Center A. “Pursuing God’s Interests, Not Ours” (Oration at the First Provincial Council, October 15, 1565) B. “Cultivating the Field Persistently” (Oration at the Second Provincial Council, April 24, 1569) C. “Reforming Together” (Oration at the Fifth Provincial Council, May 7, 1579) Chapter 2: Being Transformed by Christ in the Eucharist A. “Washing Feet as Christ Did” (Homily for the Washing of the Feet of the Cathedral Chapter, March 27, 1567) B. “God’s Overwhelming Love in the Eucharist” (Homily during the Mass of Corpus Christi, Cathedral of Milan, June 9, 1583) C. “Taste the Sweetness of the Lord” (Homily after Compline, Corpus Christi, Cathedral of Milan, June 9, 1583) D. “Receive this Sacrament Frequently, Worthily and Zealously” (Homily for the Second Sunday after Pentecost, Given in the Cathedral of Milan, June 12, 1583) E. “Uniting Heaven and Earth at the Altar” (Homily on the Occasion of the Consecration of Altars, Parish Church of Galbiati, Diocese of Milan, Thursday of the Fourth Week after Pentecost, June 30, 1583) Chapter 3: Imitating the Good Shepherd A. “Preaching the Word of God” (Instructions to Preachers of the Word of God, Oration to All Those Having the Charge of Preaching Sermons in the Diocese and Province Of Milan, According To the Decree of the Third Provincial Council, 1573) B. “Will You Risk Your Life for the Flock?” (Sermon to Superiors of Monasteries and Other Religious Priests During the Time of the Plague, 1576) C. “A Face Humble and Free of Vanity” (Letter on Shaving the Beard, November 30, 1576) D. “Come with the Right Intention” (Homily to the Ordinands, Saturday after Pentecost, June 1, 1577) E. “Be Holy or Be Struck Down” (Homily to the Ordinands, Saturday of Ember Days, February 22, 1578) F. “Spiritual Deformity or Integrity?” (Homily to the Ordinands, Saturday after Pentecost, May 24, 1578) G. “My Portion is You, O Lord” (Homily to the Ordinands, Given in the Evening at the Archbishop’s House Chapel, Ember Friday of Pentecost) H. “Priestly Anointing Reflected in a Virtuous Life” (Homily to the Ordinands During the Celebration of Mass, Cathedral of Milan, Ember Saturday of Pentecost, June 4, 1583) I. “Seeking Greater Holiness” (Homily to the Canons of the Major Churches and of the Ecclesiastical Colleges of the Archdiocese, Given in the Archbishop’s House Chapel, January 2, 1584) J. “Vigilant Shepherds” (Homily to Pastors of Parishes, Confessors and Secular Preachers of the City of Milan, Given in the Archbishop’s House Chapel, January 3, 1584) K. “You Are the Pattern of the Flock” (Third Oration to the Clergy at the Eleventh Diocesan Synod, April 20, 1584) Chapter 4: Making the World Holy A. “Daily Christian Living” (A Booklet of Reminders for the People of the City and the Diocese of Milan for Living as a Christian, in What is Common to Every State in Life, and in Particular to Fathers and Mothers of Families, Masters and Heads of Workshops, and for Workers, December 20, 1577) B. “Open Your Heart to the Holy Spirit” (Homily to Confirmands, given in the Basilica of St. Simplician, May 30, 1583) C. “Imitating the Holy Family” (Homily for the Sunday within the Octave of the Epiphany, Cathedral of Milan, January 8, 1584) Works Translated Bibliography Index

Promotional Information

Presents an English translation of a selection of conferences, sermons and circular letters of Saint Charles Borromeo

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.

Reviews

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*