St Ambrose, 338-397 AD, was Bishop of Milan and doctor of the church. He was known for his literary works that have been acclaimed as masterpieces of Latin eloquence, and a hymnologist whose hymns still reverberate in churches today. He was remembered as a preacher and a teacher who converted and baptized Saint Augustine of Hippo (North Africa). He was one of the extraordinary theologians of the Church and remains so today—a model bishop who viewed the church as rising above the ruins of the Roman Empire.

 

He went from an unbaptized layman to a bishop in eight days. St. Ambrose stood up to Emperor Theodosius, imposing public penance on Theodosius for having punished a riot by a massacre of its citizens in Thessalonica. On Good Friday, April 4th St Ambrose died, but the church celebrates his feast day on December 7th. Normally, a feast day is assigned to the day of their death or the anniversary of their entrance into heaven, called their “heavenly birthday”. However, St Ambrose’s feast day is honored on December 7th, which is the anniversary of his consecration as bishop. He is the patron saint of Milan, beekeepers, and beggars.