St. Ambrose: Feast Day, Patronage & Prayers
Updated: Oct 3
Feast day: December 7 (Memorial of St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church)
Patron of: Milan, beekeepers, and learners.
About St. Ambrose
St. Ambrose was born around 340 into a Roman Christian family and became the imperial governor of the region around Milan. In 374 the bishop of Milan died, and the church was crowded with Arians and Catholics arguing over his successor. Ambrose came to keep the peace, and a voice, said to be a child's, cried out, "Ambrose, bishop!" The whole crowd took up the cry. He was still only a catechumen, but within a week he was baptized and ordained bishop.
Ambrose gave his wealth to the poor, studied Scripture intensely, and became one of the great preachers of the ancient Church. He defended the faith of Nicaea against the Arians, wrote hymns that are still sung in the Liturgy of the Hours, and had the courage to require the emperor Theodosius to do public penance after a massacre at Thessalonica. His preaching helped lead St. Augustine to Christ, and Ambrose baptized him at the Easter Vigil of 387. He is one of the four great Latin Doctors of the Church and is honored on December 7, the day of his ordination as bishop.
Prayers to St. Ambrose on Daily Catholic Prayers
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