December 7

St. Ambrose

A fourth-century Roman governor who was elected Bishop of Milan before he was even baptized, becoming one of the four original Doctors of the Latin Church. Ambrose stood up to Emperor Theodosius, refusing him communion until he did public penance for a massacre. He baptized Augustine of Hippo and shaped Western liturgical music.

Why it matters for your parish: The bishop who made an emperor do public penance — Ambrose's courage in confronting political power is unparalleled in early Church history. His role in baptizing Augustine connects him to one of the great conversion stories.

Graphics for this saint are coming soon.