Saint Ambrose was born to an aristocratic Roman Christian family in 339 in what is now Trier, Germany. One popular legend tells of a swarm of bees alighting on the infant Ambrose’s face and leaving behind a drop of honey which his father took as a sign that Ambrose would be an eloquent speaker with a ‘honeyed tongue.’

Ambrose was educated in law and rhetoric in Rome. Like his father, he went into public service and was made governor of Ligruaia and Emilia about 373. In the second year of his governorship, he went to moderate the election of the bishop of Milan because the heretical Arians were challenging the succession. Unbaptized and untrained in theology, Ambrose was called by popular acclamation to be bishop. Though he attempted to flee, he was found and within a week he was baptized, ordained, and consecrated bishop on December 7, 374.

As bishop Ambrose studied scripture and the writings of Church fathers, he gave his property and wealth to the poor, and became an impactful orator, hymn writer, and renowned teacher. He highly praised consecrated virginity, likely influenced by his sister who took the veil. A contemporary with St. Martin of Tours, he also defended the faith against the Arian heresy (which questioned Christ’s divinity), and against the state. Ambrose required Emperor Theodosius do public penance after the massacre of Thessalonica. His classic education contributed to his writing and sermons which attracted and converted Saint Augustine of Hippo who Saint Ambrose baptized.

Saint Ambrose is one of four original doctors of the Church. He died in 397 in Milan, Italy. His remains can be seen today at the Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio, where he lays with Saint Gervasus and Saint Protasus.