“If a tiny spark of God’s love already burns within you, do not expose it to the wind, for it may get blown out… Stay quiet with God. Do not spend your time in useless chatter… Do not give yourself to others so completely that you have nothing left for yourself.
St. Charles Borromeo
The Feast Day of November 4th celebrates the patron of learning and the arts, St. Charles Borromeo. St. Borromeo came from an illustrious Italian family. Born in 1538 at the family castle of Arona on Lake Maggiore, Italy, he was the son of Count Gilbert Borromeo and Margaret Medici, sister of Pope Pius IV. He studied in Paris and Milan before moving to Rome, where he acted as the Pope’s (his uncle) legate. At first, he indulged in a lavish lifestyle but gave it up to become more involved in his calling. He is responsible for many of the reforms passed at the Council of Trent and became the Bishop of Milan in 1563.
St. Barromeo willingly gave his wealth to the poor. When famine struck in 1570, and then the plague in 1576, he was tireless in caring for the sick of Milan. Worn out, he died in 1584 at the age of 46. The life of a Saint is not for the faint hearted; even so, their dedication and perseverance gave joy and courage to those of whom they served.
“Be sure that you first preach by the way you live. If you do not, people will notice that you say one thing, but live otherwise, and your words will bring only cynical laughter and a derisive shake of the head.”
St. Charles Borromeo
Lady Budd 
St. Charles Borromeo had it right. Talk is cheap, like they say. People watch to see if we can live up to what we preach.
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Especially when we preach loudly!
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