CrucisSt. Ambrose of Milan
St. Ambrose was born around 339, likely at Trier in Roman Gaul, into a distinguished Christian family, and died on 4 April 397 at Milan. Trained in law and rhetoric, he was serving as the Roman governor of the region around Milan when, in 374, he intervened to keep peace during the disputed election of a new bishop; to his astonishment the people acclaimed him bishop, though he was not yet even baptized. He was baptized and consecrated within a week, gave his wealth to the poor, and devoted himself to study of Scripture and the care of his flock.
A Doctor of the Church and one of the four great Latin Fathers, Ambrose was a fearless shepherd who defended the Church against Arianism and famously required the Emperor Theodosius to do public penance after a massacre. His eloquent preaching drew the young St. Augustine toward conversion, and he baptized him at Milan in 387. Celebrated also for promoting hymnody and sacred music in the Latin Church, his feast is kept on 7 December, the day of his episcopal ordination.
Selected quotes
“The Incarnation is the greatest condescension of God and the greatest elevation of humanity — God became what we are so that we might become what He is.”
“Scripture is the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking across every age — read it with the same reverence with which you would listen to God Himself.”
“The Holy Spirit is not a lesser God; He is God, co-equal and co-eternal — to deny His divinity is to lose the whole Trinity.”