Today we remember St Ambrose of Milan (340? - 397), Bishop and Doctor.- He was born in Trier (now in Germany) between 337 and 340, to a Roman family: his father was praetorian prefect of Gaul. Ambrose was educated at Rome In about 372 he was made prefect of Liguria and Emilia, whose capital was Milan. In 374 the bishopric of Milan fell vacant and when Ambrose tried to pacify the conflict between the Catholics and Arians over the appointment of a new bishop, the people turned on him and demanded that he become the bishop himself. He immediately gave his money to the poor and his land to the Church He was assiduous in carrying out his office, acting with charity to all: a true shepherd and teacher of the faithful. He defended the rights of the Church and attacked the Arian heresy with learning, firmness and gentleness. He also wrote a number of hymns which are still in use today.
Ambrose was a key figure in the conversion of St Augustine to Catholicism, impressing Augustine (hitherto unimpressed by the Catholics he had met) by his intelligence and scholarship.
(from the Doylesford Norbertine website)
In the liturgical life of the Church there are several rites which celebrate the liturgy in ways different from the Roman Rite. One of these is the Ambrosian Rite which is centered in the Archdiocese of Milan. The structure of the Mass is very similar to that of the Roman Rite but has a body of chant that is unique and beautiful.
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