Apostleship of Prayer -- Saints
St. AmbroseDecember 27
Ambrose was born in 339 at Trier. He was the son of the Pretorian Prefect of Gaul and was thus considered aristocracy. in 370 he became Governor of Aemelia and Liguria, at Milan. As governor he intervened in the election of the new bishop of Milan after the death of the Arian bishop Auxentius. He appealed for peace. While yet speaking a small voice from the back of the crowd yelled out "Ambrose for bishop". He protested that he was not even a Christian, having been not baptized. The people continually shouting, "Ambrose for bishop". Within a week he was baptized and consecrated Bishop of Milan. He prepared himself for his mission by studying scripture, Origen, and Basil. Ambrose encouraged monasticism and the thought of the monks.
The battle against Arianism was still alive and Ambrose warned the young emperor against this doctrine. Ambrose began to play an important part in the politics of the Roman Empire, advising the young emperor to be satisfied with the part of the Empire that he had. During this time there was a re-introduction of the worship of the goddess of Victory. Through Ambrose's advice this came to nothing. He also refused to surrender a Church in Milan so that the Arians may have a place to worship. One of his more famous students was Augustine who was later to become the Bishop of Hippo.
Ambrose died before he was sixty. As much as we would like to say it neither the Ambrosian Chant nor the Ambrosian Rite can be attributed to Ambrose.
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