Ambrose was born an ordinary child of the Roman governor of Gaul. He wasn’t Christian yet, and didn’t have any intention to become Christian. How it is then, that he became bishop?
   
Ambrose’ father died, and his mother and sister, St. Marcellina, raised him. Ambrose received a good education in Rome and became a famous poet and speaker. He studied law and afterwards, journeyed to Milan to practice his profession. At that time, the Arian bishop of Milan had died, and the Catholics and Arians had been fighting over who should be the next bishop. Ambrose was walking by, and wishing to restore peace to the people, he made a speech to them. He had not yet finished talking, when some young child shouted ‘ Let Ambrose be our bishop!’ All at once everyone agreed, all except Ambrose. Ambrose did not want to become bishop; he wasn’t even baptized yet! He did everything possible to escape the duty. Of course, the people succeeded in making him bishop and he was baptized. After eight days, Ambrose received the minor orders of the Church, was ordained priest and made bishop. He gave up all his goods to the poor and devoted himself to the Church. Ambrose was a man of great charity. He attracted St. Augustine to the faith and converted him.
 
St. Ambrose introduced strong discipline into the Church of Milan. He refused to let Arians have any place at all in the Church. Ambrose even led Emperor Theodosius to the faith, and demanded that he do penance before returning to God.
   
St. Ambrose wrote hymns, letters, and a book on the teachings of the Church. He greatly defended the holiness of the Church and earned the title 'Apostle of Catholic Action'. He put his whole heart and energy into his ministry for God’s people. Ambrose died on Good Friday, 397 A. D. He is remembered as a Doctor of the Church, and is the patron of candle-makers.    St. Ambrose, PRAY FOR US!