Thursday, December 7, 2017

Memorial of St. Ambrose

Advent: December 7th: Memorial of St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

"St. Ambrose (340-397) was born at Treves in Gaul, a territory which embraced modern France, Britain, Spain, and part of Africa. He studied in Rome and later became governor of Liguria and Aemelia with residence at Milan. While supervising the election of a new bishop of Milan in 374, he himself was suddenly acclaimed the bishop. He was only a catechumen at the time. He was ordained a priest and consecrated a bishop on Dec. 7. He wrote much on the Scriptures and Fathers, preached a homily every Sunday, resisted the interference of the secular powers with the rights of the Church, opposed the heretics, and was instrumental in bringing about the conversion of St. Augustine. He composed many hymns, promoted sacred chant, and took a great interest in the Liturgy." (from Catholicculture.org)

Read from the writings of St. Ambrose at CCEL.

Emperor Theodosius Forbidden by St. Ambrose To Enter Milan Cathedral,
by Sir Anthony van Dyck. Oil on canvas, 1619-20; National Gallery, London.