Saint Ambrose
Feast: 7th December
Patronage: Bee keepers, Bishops, Policemen
Saint Ambrose was a peaceful man, known as the man who aided St Augustine of Hippo and mentored him through his conversion. Saint Ambrose was a bishop whom “viewed the church as rising above the ruins of the Roman Empire” (1).
St Ambrose, originally a man of power and wealth was well thought of within society. An outbreak between the Catholics and Arians began and each side wanted their own Bishop to become Bishop of Milan. This was during the time when heresies threatened to destroy the Church (1). The outbreak occurred after the death of the Bishop of Milan and the two sides were fighting about the divinity of Christ. A riot broke out. Ambrose broke up the riot and suddenly the crowd began to shout “AMBROSE FOR BISHOP!”. So after initially running away from the position physically, Ambrose gave in and became bishop of Milan.
Everyone thought that he would keep his wealth and popularity yet he gave all his wealth to the poor upon his appointment as Bishop. Ambrose became a student of Saint Simplician and learned about the Scriptures and theology.
Ambrose shocked Milan, as he was conservative and did not follow the same people which he did before he was Bishop, the Arians.
Ambrose is a witness to the faith. Although he was stubborn and did not want to become Bishop, he used the same stubborness as a “weapon in fighting heresy and pursuing sanctity” (2).
Ambrose was always concerned and generous to the poor.
“God created the universe in such a manner that all in common might derive their food from it, and that the earth should also be a property common to all. Why do you reject one who has the same rights over nature as you? It is not from your own goods that you give to the beggar; it is a portion of his own that you are restoring to him. The earth belongs to all. So you are paying back a debt and think you are making a gift to which you are not bound.” (2).
We can learn alot about peace from Saint Ambrose’s life. He would not use violence to solve any issue. At one stage the Arians tried to take over his Basillica yet he did not use violence to stop them. Rather him and the people gathered within the Church praying and offering Mass. Soliders who initially were sent to surround the Church came in to pray. Saint Ambrose would preach to the people about not giving up the Church (2). He would compose songs with them and sing hymns as they were surrounded by soldiers ready to fight them. It is said that the soldiers heard the beautiful hymns and joined in and that was the end of the seige (2).
St Ambrose, pray for us.
Sources:
1) http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/19014/Saint-Ambrose
2) http://www.catholic.org/saints
Originally posted 2014-12-09 03:46:16.