Today is the Feast Day of St. Ambrose - Teacher of the Catholic Faith and Model of Apostolic Courage
Today is the Feast Day of St. Ambrose - Teacher of the Catholic Faith and Model of Apostolic Courage
Collect
O God, who made the Bishop Saint Ambrose a teacher of the Catholic faith and a model of apostolic courage, raise up in your Church men after your own heart to govern her with courage and wisdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
The Life of St. Ambrose - The Model of Holiness
Saint Ambrose of Milan, born around 340 AD in Trier, Germany, was a pivotal figure in early Church history and a Doctor of the Church. His father was a Roman prefect, and Ambrose received a classical education, which laid the foundation for his later theological insights. He began his career in law and politics, eventually becoming the governor of Milan.
In 374 AD, a unique event marked his transition from a layman to an ecclesiastical leader: When the bishopric of Milan became vacant, Ambrose was chosen as bishop by the people, despite being only a catechumen at the time. He was baptized, ordained, and consecrated as bishop within a week, a testament to his remarkable character and the trust the Christian community placed in him.
As Bishop of Milan, Ambrose became renowned for his preaching, particularly his exegesis of the Scriptures. He was an influential figure in the conversion of St. Augustine of Hippo, with whom he developed a close friendship and theological discourse. Ambrose's teachings were deeply rooted in the Scriptures and the writings of earlier Church Fathers, and he is credited with integrating Greek and Latin theological traditions.
Ambrose was also noted for his stance against Arianism, a heresy that denied the divinity of Jesus Christ, and his firm opposition to imperial interference in Church matters. This was most famously demonstrated in his confrontation with Emperor Theodosius I over the massacre at Thessalonica, where Ambrose demanded public penance from the Emperor.
His contributions to Christian liturgy and music were significant, including promoting antiphonal chanting. Ambrose's writings, such as "On the Duties of the Clergy" and his many theological treatises, continue to be influential in Christian thought, particularly within the Catholic Church.
Saint Ambrose died on April 4, 397, and his legacy lives on as a symbol of episcopal courage, doctrinal orthodoxy, and pastoral care.
St. Ambrose, pray for us!
A letter of St Ambrose
You win the people over with the grace of your words
You have entered upon the office of bishop. Sitting at the helm of the Church, you pilot the ship against the waves. Take firm hold of the rudder of faith so that the severe storms of this world cannot disturb you. The sea is mighty and vast, but do not be afraid, for as Scripture says: he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters.
The Church of the Lord is built upon the rock of the apostles among so many dangers in the world; it therefore remains unmoved. The Church’s foundation is unshakeable and firm against the assaults of the raging sea. Waves lash at the Church but do not shatter it. Although the elements of this world constantly beat upon the Church with crashing sounds, the Church possesses the safest harbor of salvation for all in distress. Although the Church is tossed about on the sea, it rides easily on rivers, especially those rivers that Scripture speaks of: The rivers have lifted up their voice. These are the rivers flowing from the heart of the man who is given drink by Christ and who receives from the Spirit of God. When these rivers overflow with the grace of the Spirit, they lift up their voice.
There is also a stream which flows down on God’s saints like a torrent. There is also a rushing river giving joy to the heart that is at peace and makes for peace. Whoever has received from the fullness of this river, like John the Evangelist, like Peter and Paul, lifts up his voice. Just as the apostles lifted up their voices and preached the Gospel throughout the world, so those who drink these waters begin to preach the good news of the Lord Jesus.
Drink, then, from Christ, so that your voice may also be heard. Store up in your mind the water that is Christ, the water that praises the Lord. Store up water from many sources, the water that rains down from the clouds of prophecy.
Whoever gathers water from the mountains and leads it to himself or draws it from springs, is himself a source of dew like the clouds. Fill your soul, then, with this water, so that your land may not be dry, but watered by your own springs.
He who reads much and understands much, receives his fill. He who is full, refreshes others. So Scripture says: If the clouds are full, they will pour rain upon the earth.
Therefore, let your words be rivers, clean and limpid, so that in your exhortations you may charm the ears of your people. And by the grace of your words win them over to follow your leadership. Let your sermons be full of understanding. Solomon says: The weapons of the understanding are the lips of the wise; and in another place he says: Let your lips be bound with wisdom. That is, let the meaning of your words shine forth, let understanding blaze out. See that your addresses and expositions do not need to invoke the authority of others, but let your words be their own defense. Let no word escape your lips in vain or be uttered without depth of meaning.
A Prayer By St. Ambrose
O loving Lord Jesus Christ, I, a sinner, not presuming on my own merits, but trusting in Your mercy and goodness, with fear and awe approach the table of Your most sacred banquet.
For I have stained both my heart and body with many sins, and have not kept a strict guard over my mind and tongue.
Wherefore, O gracious God, O awful majesty, I, a wretched creature, entangled in difficulties, have recourse to You, the fount of mercy; to You I fly for healing and take refuge under Your protection, and I ardently desire to have Him as my Savior whom I am unable to face as my Judge.
To You, Lord, I show my wounds, to You I lay bare my shame. I know that my sins are many and great and on their account I am filled with fear.
But I trust in Your mercy, which is endless.
Look down on me, therefore, with the eyes of mercy, Lord Jesus Christ, eternal King, God and Man, crucified for men. Hear me, for my hope is in You; have mercy on me, for I am full of sin and wretchedness, You who never cease to let flow the fountain of mercy.
Hail Victim of Salvation, offered for me and for all mankind on the tree of the cross. Hail, noble and precious Blood, flowing from the wounds of my crucified Lord Jesus Christ washing away the sins of the whole world. Remember, Lord, Your creature, whom You have redeemed with Your Blood. I am grieved because I have sinned.
I desire to make amends for what I have done.
Take away from me, therefore, O most merciful Father, all my iniquities and my sins, that, being purified both in soul and body, I may worthily partake of the Holy of Holies; and grant that this holy oblation of Your Body and Blood, of which though unworthy I purpose to partake, may be to me the remission of my sins, the perfect cleansing of all my offenses, the means of driving away all evil thoughts and of renewing all holy desires, the accomplishment of works pleasing to You, as well as the strongest defense for soul and body against the snares of my enemies.
Amen.