Liturgy Alive Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop

Introduction

Today's saint, Charles Borromeo (1538-1584), embodies the renewal of the Church. Though through the abuses of his time, he became, as nephew of the Pope, a cardinal, secretary of State and archbishop of Milan, all at the age of 22, he was capable and not a part of any corruption. He played an important role in the final stages of the Council of Trent. Finally residing in Milan, he put the renewal of the Church mandated by the Council into practice by reforming diocesan structures, founding seminaries, doing pastoral visitation, giving away everything he had, including his beddings during an epidemic of pestilence. He died at the age of 46, consumed with the love and zeal of Christ.

Opening Prayer

Lord our God,
as Christians we need to be marked,
like St. Charles Borromeo,
with the life and death of your Son.
Give us the strength to renew ourselves,
that you may write straight
with the crooked lines of our lives
and make us instruments of your love
and witnesses to the Gospel
of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

 

First Reading Introduction
Paul excuses himself for interfering in the affairs of the Church of Rome, for it was not founded by him. But he will rely on the Romans for his missionary journeys to the West. He has two basic reasons for dealing with them: collegiality – for he is an apostle like the others – and his priestly ministry as evangelizer bringing the good news to all.

Gospel Introduction

Whatever the unknown context of today’s parable may have been, the central thought of Jesus’ words seems to be this: Much has been entrusted to us and we will have to give an account for it to God. We must act responsibly, keeping our goal in mind: God and our neighbor. Let us be people who try to know where we are going and what we are doing.

General Intercessions

– For the Church, that it may be a serving Church and a Church of the poor, bearing witness to God’s gratuitousness as a living parable of sharing, we pray:

– For those in positions of responsibility in politics, finances and the economy, that honesty, justice and concern for the good of all may guide their decisions and actions, we pray:

– For those who live by the work of their hands, that people may recognize their dignity and the service they render to all, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord our God,
you have made us responsible in your Church
for the lasting happiness of our neighbor.
Accept this bread and this wine
as signs that we want to share
our faith, our hope, our joy,
our time, and our concern
with all those who need us and whom we need.
Give us this strength by the body and blood
of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

Lord our God,
you have nourished us in this Eucharist
with Jesus, your Son.
Give to your Church shepherds
like St. Charles Borromeo,
who nourish those entrusted to them
with the gift of themselves,
who know their people and who are known by them.
Inspire and lead them with the good Spirit
of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

 

Blessing

God has entrusted much to us to be thankful for: our talents, our friends and relatives, other people, even nature. Let us care for everything entrusted to us. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.