The 23rd session of the Council of Trent , held July 15, 1563 , ended with the approval of the decree of establishment of diocesan seminaries . Historical documents show that this approval was reached thanks to the admirable work of Cardinal Carlo Borromeo , a firm believer in the need irreplaceable seminaries for the training of priests, who were able to promote the spiritual renewal of the faithful.
Such forward-looking belief and commendable efforts of Cardinal Borromeo for the formation of priests , in this case appropriately delegated , were undoubtedly behind the decision of the Arch of Sts. Ambrose and Charles , founded in 1471, to undertake to establish a seminary for the training of priests Lombard .
In fact, over the centuries, the Cardinals of the arch protectors had always held in the premises of the same confraternity some young boarders who made their way to the priesthood and to the service of the Basilica of SS. Ambrose and Charles .
But this was not enough. I understood very well Monsignor Edward Borromeo Arese , steward of His Holiness Pope Pius IX , who became a firm believer and promoter of the idea of a seminary for the Lombardy-Venetia .
The next occasion was provided by the fact that they were to remain free the local sites in Via del Corso 437 , a busy time national hospital for the sick poor of Lombard origin .
Therefore , Bishop Edward Borromeo , who became a Cardinal, he strove to convince the Veneto Episcopato Lombardo to agree to create such a seminar in Rome. They were opposed to this initiative , inter alia, the lack of means of subsistence and the Government of Austria (which at that time depended on the Lombardy ) , who wanted that those who wished to become priests in the Austrian kingdom , would study to all Vienna .
But when England regained its independence from Austria , even this obstacle declined , and proceeded to the establishment of the first Lombard Seminary in Rome. It was 1863.
The Confraternity spoke to the seminarians at the Basilica of St. Carlo al Corso , two floors with 18 rooms well cleaned , in addition to the chapel , the library room , the dining hall and a terrace .
The confrere Duke Thomas Gallarati Scotti came to give the sum of 8,500 pounds for the operation of such a seminar . First Vice-Rector Fr Peter was Prada, and then was appointed as Rector of Don Antonio Muller. The first community consisted of 12 students , some already priests and other clerics in holy orders , who attended the various institutions of higher education , and in particular Apollinaris and the Gregorian . They offered their services to the annexed Basilica and liturgical also benefitting from grants and bequests, made available by the brothers of the arch .
In this regard deserves special mention the generous financial support given by the guardian of the arch , Comma . Vimercati , Don Achille Ratti, the future Pope Pius XI , who in December 1879 he celebrated his first Holy Mass in front of the Heart of St. Carlo .
The Lombard Seminary continued to enjoy the hospitality of the arch semigratuita until 1887 , when the Rector Msgr Fountain built a new workshop in Via Gioacchino Belli Prati . Later, after a certain period when it was joined to the Pontifical Roman Seminary ( from 1913 until 1920 ), the Lombard Seminary shooting his own activities in other areas of Rome before being Mascherone is then (from 1930 ) in the its current headquarters at St. Maria Maggiore.
Nell'Arciconfraternita Meanwhile, true to the spirit of its founder priestly S. Charles was always a keen desire to resume the service of charity towards the priests . Only expected a happy new opportunity to implement this commitment also outwardly .
That happened with Archbishop Francesco Bertoglio who, before being auxiliary bishop of Milan , he was for 31 years rector of the seminary Lombardo.
He left the seminary and appointed Primicerius the arch of SS. Ambrose and Charles , and thought the time is ripe , therefore , asked for and received in 1963 by the Congregation of Seminaries ( today the Congregation for Catholic Education ) approval for the new institution , founded by him on in order to accommodate the priests who , coming from all parts of the world and sent by their ordinary , came to Rome to complete their spiritual and intellectual formation .
The Confraternity therefore put at the disposal of the " International Ecclesiastical College St. Charles ' premises previously used by the Lombard Seminary . Indeed, in order to offer hospitality to a greater number of priests , were added other rooms , restored some time ago by the previous Primicerius , Bishop Villa ( missionary bishop ) .
Since then, the College has been able to play well with fruit , his activities to the benefit of many priests , an activity that continues to this day making the big present today , " caritas " by S. Carlo towards sacerdorti , for whose training he labored during his whole life , with his whole heart .
A foundation and support of these activities are now pose the Statute and the Rules that are herewith published after being approved by the competent authority.
