Thursday of the First Week of Advent
Feast of Saint Ambrose, Bishop, Doctor
Matthew 7:21, 24-27
"And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool" matthew 7:26
In 374 the bishopric of Milan fell vacant and when Ambrose tried to pacify between the Catholics and the Arians over the appointment of a new bishop, the people turned on him and demanded that he become the bishop himself. He was a layman and not yet baptized (at this time it was common for baptism to be delayed and for people to remain for years as catechumens), but that was no defense. Coerced by the people and by the Emperor, he was baptized, ordained, and installed as bishop within a week, on 7 December 374.
---quoted from 'About Today' universalis.com
Well it appears that the 'sensus fidelium' has operated swiftly and with great judgement in the past! Without Ambrose we may never have had Augustine...
Just sayin'
Today I am struck by the narrowness of our Collect prayer:
O God, who made the Bishop Saint Ambrose
a teacher of the Catholic Faith
and a model of apostolic courage,
raise up in your church men after your own heart
to govern her with courage and wisdom.
Speak O Lord
Your servants are trying to listen
...all holy men and Women
pray for us
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