Saint Ambrose. Bishop. Confessor. Doctor Of The Church. Feast Day 7 December.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

Saint Ambrose.
   Bishop, Confessor, Doctor of The Church.
   Feast Day 7 December.

Double.

White Vestments.

Saint Ambrose barring Emperor Theodosius I from Milan Cathedral.

Artist: Anthony van Dyck.

Date: 1619.

Source: http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/anthony-van-dyck

-st-ambrose-barring-theodosius-from-milan-cathedral.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Ambrose, born at Treves (Trier, Germany) towards 335 A.D., was one of the four Great Doctors of The Latin Church. When he was still in his cradle, some bees settled in his mouth, as if to make honey there, presaging his future great eloquence.

While he was Governor of Milan, Ambrose was providently chosen as Bishop by the voice of a child, and he became thee indefatigable Preacher mentioned in the Epistle and Gospel.

He opposed the heretics, humbled the Emperor Theodosius, and brought into The Church Saint Augustine, whose Conversion was worth that of entire Kingdoms. He enriched The Divine Office with Sacred Hymns, to be Chanted by the whole Congregation. The Milanese Liturgy is still known as The Ambrosian Rite.

This great Bishop died in 397 A.D., during the night of Saturday in Holy Week, after having received The Adorable Body of Jesus, Who received him into Eternal Beatitude.

Like Ambrose, let us always, with gentle firmness, maintain God's Rights.

Mass: In médio.
Commemoration: Of The Feria.

Commemoration: Of The Vigil of The Immaculate Conception of The Blessed Virgin Mary.
Last Gospel: Of The Vigil.