Ever struggle to stay humble? You’re not alone. Even the saints wrestled with pride; and one of the best examples of conquering it is St. Charles Borromeo.
Born into nobility in 16th-century Italy, Charles had every worldly advantage: wealth, status, and influence. His father was a count and his mother belonged to the famed House of Medici. Although Charles was “a good and practical Catholic,” he was also “a haughty noble, proud of his ancient name.” He was greatly pleased when his uncle, a cardinal, became Pope Pius IV, knowing that this would bring the Borromeo family even greater favor and privilege.
But when his brother died suddenly, he realized how fleeting worldly honor really was. Instead of continuing the proud family legacy, he turned his life over completely to God. Charles then took on a spiritual director who helped him lead a holier life; in particular, “to curb the intense pride that was the keynote of Charles’s character.”
During this time, his pride began to melt, and his humility increased, which poured itself out in charity to his neighbor. He also began to live a life of greater austerity.
As a bishop and later Archbishop of Milan, St. Charles reformed a diocese that had fallen into corruption and neglect. He taught priests, restored reverence to the liturgy, cared for the poor, and even stayed in Milan during a deadly plague to minister to the sick when others fled. He assisted with the production of the Catechism of the Council of Trent, with revisions of the Roman Breviary and the Missal, and with the reform of Church music. His love and dependence on the sacraments were apparent to all who knew him.
His secret? Humility. He often said that “souls have to be gained on the knees.” Despite his noble background, he wore a rough hairshirt beneath his fine vestments and lived with simplicity. His life reminds us that true humility isn’t self-loathing—it’s knowing who we are before God: small, dependent, and deeply loved.
We might often think we are humble when we are not. Yet when we remember that all we have—our gifts, our faith, our very breath—comes from Him, humility becomes not a burden, but a joy. Knowing who we are - creatures - before our Creator is a key to humility.
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