Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop

The readings today are about humility, service, and God’s invitation to the banquet feast of His love.

Dear sisters in Christ,

Today we remember Saint Charles Borromeo who was born into wealth, but he lived with humility. He was made a cardinal at twenty-two, yet he saw himself first as a servant. When plague came to Milan, he stayed with his people. He walked among the sick, fed the hungry, comforted the dying. His motto was Humilitas—humility—and it shaped every choice he made.

Saint Paul, in our first reading, reminds us that we are one body in Christ. Each person has a place. Each has a gift to share. He urges us to be sincere, patient, prayerful, and kind—to live simply, without pride, close to those who suffer. This is not only good advice; it is the very shape of the Christian life.

The psalm gives us a gentle image: a child resting in its mother’s arms. It is the stillness that comes when we stop trying to control everything and simply trust. Saint Charles lived this way—acting firmly, but always from a peaceful heart that rested in God.

Then, in the Gospel, Jesus tells of a great banquet. Those first invited were too busy to come. So the poor, the blind, and the lame were welcomed instead. The story reminds us that God’s love is for all, especially those who feel forgotten. The Lord still sends His servants to the roads and hedgerows—to gather those who are waiting, hungry for love and belonging.

You, dear sisters, have answered that call for many years. In your teaching, especially among the deaf, you have opened the banquet to those who might otherwise be left outside. You have lived your Dominican motto, Veritas—truth—joined with the spirit of Humilitas. For the truth we teach must be spoken humbly, and the humility we live must reveal the truth of God’s love.

Saint Charles teaches us that renewal begins not with great plans, but with humble hearts. When we listen, serve, and trust, the Lord’s banquet grows wider, and there is always room for one more.

For your reflection this morning we might ask ourselves:

• Where might I be making excuses instead of accepting God’s invitation to serve?
• Who is waiting near me for a word or gesture of welcome, a smile, or a helping hand?
• How can I live both Veritas and Humilitas—in silence, in kindness, and in trust?