Ambrose was born at Trier, the son of the Pretorian Prefect of Gaul; he studied Greek rhetoric and poetry, and became a successful advocate. In 370 he became governor of Aemilia and Liguria at Milan. On the death of its Arian bishop Auxentius, Ambrose appealed for peace at the assembly convoked to elect his successor.
During his speech a voice, often said to be that of a child, cried out; ' Ambrose for bishop'. To his astonishment as he was not even baptised, the whole crowed took up the slogan.
After much hesitation he accepted the invitation and was baptised ordained and consecrated. Ambrose became famous as a preacher. St. Augustine, in particular. greatly admired him.
He was fearless in his dealings with the secular authorities, imposing penance on the Emperor Theodosius I after a massacre in Thessalonica and declaring that the Emperor was within the Church and not over it.
With Augustine, Gregory the Great and Jerome, Ambrose is counted as one of the four traditional Doctors of the Latin Church.
Ambrose's feast day is the 7th December, the day of his consecration.
Written and contributed by Phillip Lloyd.
