Who is St. Ambrose? By the age of 33, Abrose was a successful lawyer, the governor of Milan, friend of the Emperor and owned a large estate. He ended up accepting the role of bishop after the people of his town chose him upon the passing of the previous bishop. Being a bishop in 374 was a life threatening position, so at first, Ambrose ran from the position, but the Lord had other plans and eventually Ambrose accepted his new position with vigor. His remarkable story of God's blessings and power allowed him to live through Goth's invading the empire, a church siege that lasted through Easter Sunday, an invasion of Rome and eventually becoming a lifelong friend of Emperor Theodosius. Visit Catholic Online for a wonderful narrative of the highlights of St Ambrose's life."Nothing graces the Christian soul so much as mercy; mercy as shown chiefly towards the poor, that thou mayest treat them as sharers in common with thee in the produce of nature, which brings forth the fruits of the earth for use to all." St. Ambrose
"This bread is bread before the words of the Sacrament. But when the words of Christ come to it, it is the body of Christ ... Before the words of Christ it is a cup full of wine and water. When the words of Christ become operative, the blood which has redeemed the people is caused to be there." St. Ambrose
St. Ambrose's Treasure:
"It is a better thing to save souls for the Lord than to save treasures. He who sent forth his apostles without gold had not need of gold to form his Church. The Church possesses gold, not to hoard, but to scatter abroad and come to the aid of the unfortunate."
"O most merciful Father, put far from me all my iniquities and all my offences; so that, by Thee made whole in body and in soul, I may be accounted worthy to approach the Holy of holies." St. Ambrose