Latin Fathers – Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks in this excerpt about the life and virtues of Saint Ambrose, highlighting marvels in his episcopal career and the deep impact of his theological and pastoral work in the Church.

Environment and place of birth and upbringing

Ambrose was born in Gaul (today France) in the year 340 AD to a rich, devout family; his father was a governor in the province. He received a legal and scholarly upbringing that qualified him to serve as an adviser and judge before being called to episcopal service.

His exceptional episcopal selection

Ambrose was chosen for the episcopal see while he was among the catechumens; he was baptized and then consecrated bishop eight days later — an event considered one of the wonders in the history of consecrations. Afterward he made the decisive choice to leave his wealth to the poor and to the Church.

His preaching and cultural gifts

Ambrose excelled in extraordinary eloquence and rhetoric, delivering sermons daily and on feast occasions. He benefited from the Christian tradition of the Eastern Fathers (Origen, Didymus, Athanasius, and Basil) and combined eloquence with theological depth.

His role in Augustine’s conversion and spiritual influence

Ambrose baptized Augustine and drew him to the faith; Augustine described him in The Confessions as the teacher who led his hand to God without previous knowledge, because of the compassion and spiritual eloquence he witnessed.

His moral stance toward rulers and social justice

Ambrose did not fear rebuking emperors; he confronted Valentinian, Theodosius, and others. He stood firmly against crimes such as the massacre in Thessalonica, compelling the emperor to repentance and public confession. He also counseled enacting laws to protect the weak from officials’ abuse.

His theological, liturgical and hymnographic writings

Ambrose left important works: On Faith (five parts), On the Holy Spirit, On the Mystery of the Incarnation, commentaries on the Gospel and Psalms, monastic rules, many letters (about 91 letters), and a Mass and hymns still used in Milan; he focused on virginity, penitence, and the Church’s sacraments.

His interpretive method and scriptural sources

Ambrose employed multiple interpretive methods: literal, symbolic, and spiritual, and he used books that later appeared in some traditions (Tobit, Judith, Baruch, Sirach) in his exegesis.

Spiritual summary

From Ambrose’s life we learn a unique blend of eloquence, pastoral care, and moral courage; he is a model shepherd who serves both learning and spirituality, defends truth and urges virtue, and makes spiritual authority a force that transforms hearts and societies.

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