# Prayers to St. Charles Borromeo and the Mother of Divine Grace
*2015-11-04*

> Bill Young reflects on the life of St. Charles Borromeo and offers prayers for the deceased, the sick, and the increase of vocations in the Church.

## Remembering a Faithful Servant

Today is November 4th, the feast day of St. Charles Borromeo. Before we turn to the saint, my heart is heavy today. We lost a good friend and someone who I would consider among the saints: Diane Gitchery. She was our scout leader at Troop 175 in Plantation, Florida. She taught us a lot, and she helped my son earn his religious emblem badge. She was a true and good Catholic, and we are all mourning her loss.

Receive her soul and present her to God the Most High. May Christ, who called her, take her to Himself. May the angels lead her to Abraham's side. Give her the eternal rest of the Lord and may the light shine upon her forever. All-powerful and merciful God, we commend your servant Diane to you. In your mercy, blot out the sins that she may have committed through her human weakness in this world. Let her live with you forever. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

## St. Charles Borromeo: Reformer and Servant

St. Charles Borromeo lived in the 16th century and was a reformer of the Church during the Protestant Reformation. He was an animator of spiritual renewal for priests and religious, organizing true seminaries and writing catechisms. 

O saintly reformer, St. Charles, animator of spiritual renewal for priests and religious, you organized true seminaries and wrote a catechism. Inspire all religious teachers and authors of catechetical books; move them to love and transmit only that which can form true followers of the Teacher who is divine. Amen.

## Intercession for the Sick

During his lifetime, St. Charles helped many of the sick during the plague in Milan, staying behind to serve when others fled. Because of this, he is honored as a patron for those with stomach ailments, including obesity and dieting.

St. Charles, you have an honored love for God, chosen by God and put on this earth to better mankind. You lived your life as an example to shine and guide. I ask for your help and your strength in helping me deal with my compulsions. I ask you, in the name of the Most Blessed Sacrament, to hear my prayers and to cure my problem. Amen.

## A Prayer for Vocations

Our final prayer today is "O Mary, Mother of Divine Grace," written by St. Pope John Paul II. We entrust the new spring of vocations to Mary, the Mother of Divine Grace.

We turn to you, Mother of the Church. You, with your fiat, have opened the door to the presence of Christ in the world, in history, and in souls. Accepting in humble silence, with perfect willingness, the call of the Most High, grant that once again in our times many men and women may perceive the inviting voice of your Son: "Follow me." Grant that they may have the courage to leave their families and their occupations, their worldly hopes, to follow Christ along the path indicated by Him.

Stretch out your maternal hand to all missionaries working throughout the world, and to religious brothers and sisters who take care of the sick, the elderly, the handicapped, and the orphans. Stretch out your hand to those who committed themselves to teaching in secular institutions, who are silent witnesses of good deeds, and to those in enclosed orders who live by faith and love as a seed for the salvation of the world. Amen.

*Through the intercession of St. Charles Borromeo and the Blessed Mother, we seek spiritual renewal, healing, and a courageous response to God's call.*