We
begin our lessons with at least a December saint.
All saints for the 31 days of December are important, but of these, I admire the
lives of two greatly: St. John the Evangelist and St. Ambrose of Milan. Of St.
John there isn't much more we can say than what the Bible tells us, and a
little from the Traditions. Many may be familiar with this, though I could
bring it up here someday. However, we will focus our attention on St. Ambrose
(Bishop of Milan and Doctor of the Church)
ST.
AMBROSE of Milan (Bp and Doctor) - (339 - 397)
There
are at least seven doctors of the Church, and St. Ambrose has been among the original
four. Born Ambrosius Aurelius around 339 or 340 AD to a Roman Christian
Parents. He, together with his siblings were brought up in Germany (Belgic Gaul
at that time). Something perculiar happened when Ambrose was an infant: On a
cot where he was, a swarm of bees encircled him, and left on him a drop of honey.
This made his father and those around predict his future oratorical prowess. At
the wake of his father's demise, he was taken to Rome for studies where he
became a certified lawyer. Nothing else is known of his childhood.
Ambrose
went on to be the great orator he was muted to be and found himself in exalted
positions in the Roman society. Christianity in Rome was on the rise, and
Ambrose was a catechumen preparing for baptism and reception into the Church
during Easter. This was so because infant baptism was not rampant at the time,
and was even discouraged, though not prohibited. This was on the grounds that
baptised adults could better take care of their faith than children placed over
the baptismal fonts at infancy.
It
happened that the then bishop of Milan died, and a replacement was sought among
the clergy of the time. There was disagreements among the members of the said
clergy as to who would occupy the vacant seat, and this lingered for some time.
However, as governor of Milan, Ambrose was obligated to maintain law and order,
and on an occasion, he went as a lay catechumen to ensure this was so among the
clergy looking to elect a new bishop. On one of these occasions, when Ambrose
arrived, the voice of a little child proclaimed: "Let Ambrose be the
Bishop", and this became a unanimous agreement among the clergy. However,
Ambrose, on hearing this, took to flight and went into hiding. Sooner than
later, he was discovered and, though not forcefully, was baptised, ordained and
consecrated the Bishop of Milan. Ambrose went on to lead the flock entrusted to
him by example and patience; while defending the Church from the activities and
doctrines of Heretics and practices of Pagans. He employed his oratorical
skills in defeating so many opponents in arguments against the Church and Her teachings.
After his ordination and subsequent consecration, Ambrose gave up all he had
(Money and properties alike) to the Church and to the poor.
Ambrose
it was through whom the famous St. Augustine was converted and baptised before
which the former's mother St. Monica had approached the good bishop severally
to help her son. God heard her prayers and cries through this holy bishop of
Milan. Ambrose, in his time contributed immensely in preaching, teaching and
writing to the growth of the peoples' faith. His writings centre majorly on
issues concerning the Blessed Virgin Mary, and especially on the Virgin Birth,
and virginity after the birth of Jesus. He was bishop for about 23 years, and
sometime during his episcopacy the world witnessed the fall of the Milan to
Magnus Maximus. Ambrose remained in Milan thus suffering with the people during
this carnage. Theodocius I was the emperor of the east at the time, and would
suffer public penance later on when Ambrose the bishop excommunicated him on
account of the massacre of about 7000 persons.
Ambrose
was generous to the poor for he believed that the wealth of the wealthy was
given by God to be shared eqaully among all. He died on April 4, 397, and his
remains remain displayed in the Church of Ambrogio in Milan.
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