Feast of St. Ambrose

Today is the Feast of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan.  The entry in the breviary says this about him:  "Ambrose was born of a Roman family at Trier about the year 340.  He studied at Rome and served in teh imperial government at Sirmium.  In 374, while living in Milan, he was elected bishop of the city by popular acclaim and ordained on December 7.  He devotedly carried out his duties and especially distinguished himself by his service to the poor and as an effective pastor and teacher of the faithful.  He strenuously guarded the laws of the Church and defended orthodox teaching by writings and actions against the Arians.  He died on Holy Saturday, April 4, 397."

St. Ambrose was an incredibly holy man.  He is often known for playing a large part in the coversion of St. Augustine and baptizing him.  St. Ambrose is one of the 33 doctors of the Church.

From EWTN:  "Paulinus writes thus of him: 'Whenever any person confessed their sins to him in order to receive penance, he shed such an abundance of tears as to make the penitent also to weep. The sins which were confessed to him he never disclosed to anyone, only interceded with God.'"

You learn more about St. Ambrose here and here.

Prayer from the Breviary:
"Lord, you made St. Ambrose an outstanding teacher of the Catholic faith and gave him the courage of an apostle.  Raise up in your Church more leaders afer your own heart, to guide us with courage and wisdom.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever."  Amen.