Saint Ambrose

Ambrose was born into a noble Roman Christian family in around 339 and was raised in Gallia Belgica, the capital of which was Augusta Treverorum.

His father was a Roman prefect in Gaul and his mother was (so we're told) a woman of intellect and piety.

Saint Ambrose, a painting in the church of San Giuseppe alla Lungara, Rome

There is a legend that when he was a baby, a swarm of bees settled on little Ambrose's face while he lay in his cradle, leaving behind a drop of honey. His father considered this a sign of his future honeyed-tongued eloquence.

Ambrose had a classical education in Rome, where he studied law. In 370 he was appointed a Consular Magistrate in Upper Italy with his headquarters at Milan. In this office Ambrose's kindness and wisdom won the esteem and love of the people.

Ambrose was consecrated Bishop of Milan on December 7, 374, despite having had no theological training or even having been baptized. This was the first time in the West that a member of the upper class of high officials had accepted the office of bishop. Having reluctantly accepted the decision, Ambrose was baptized, ordained and consecrated within a week before proceeding to give away his property to the poor. He became one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century.

In 390 Bishop Ambrose bravely denied admission to the church to the Roman Emperor Theodosius for eight months after he'd ordered a massacre of rebels in Thessalonica. The emperor later recanted; . Ambrose had hit upon an effective weapon, the threat of excommunication.

Saint Ambrose barring Theodosius from Milan Cathedral by Anthony van Dyck

Arianism is the belief that Jesus the Son is not co-equal or co-eternal with God the Father. In the late 4th century there was a deep conflict in the diocese of Milan between the  mainstream church and Arians. Ambrose successfully used his legal and oratory skills to combat the Arian heresy. In his confrontation with Arians, the former law student sought to theologically refute their propositions, which were contrary to the Nicene creed and thus to the officially defined orthodoxy.   

Ambrose was musical and composed several hymns, which each had eight four-line stanzas. The best known is the hymn "Te Deum," which is based on the text "Te Deum Laudamus", ("We praise thee O God"). It is claimed it originated when Ambrose was baptizing Augustine of Hippo on Easter Vigil on April 25, 387. The two of them improvised the "Te Deum Laudamus" in alternate verses.

Troubled that in the Mass one individual sang all the Psalms and hymns whilst the congregation merely listened. Ambrose introduced to the western church congregational singing - antiphonal singing which allowed congregation to sing alternating parts of the music.

Ambrose was one of the first people to practice silent reading. Most of his contemporaries, including Augustine, thought it was impossible to read without translating the words into sound and mouthing them.

Ambrose, it appears, remained celibate all his life. He viewed virginity as superior to marriage and is alleged to have founded an institution for virgins in Rome.

He died on April 4, 397 at about the age of 57. Ambrose's body may still be viewed in the church of Sant'Ambrogio in Milan. Below is the embossed silver urn with the body of Ambrose (with white vestments) in the crypt of Sant'Ambrose, with the skeletons of Saints Gervase and Protase

By BáthoryPéter 

 Ambrose is recognized as one of the original four Doctors of the Church, along with Augustine, Jerome and Pope Gregory I. His feast day is celebrated on December 7, the date of his ordination.