Advent Reflection - December 7 - on St Ambrose of Milan on his feast day

St Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan, was one of the most influential Church leaders in the 4^th century, right after Christianity was officially recognized in the Roman empire. Ambrose battled the Arian heresy & the cruelty of the Roman emperors in order to help our faith survive and be passed down to us.  Along with St Augustine, St Gregory the Great, and St Jerome, Ambrose was named one of the original doctors of the Church in 1298.  Ambrose was the Bishop of Milan at the time of St Augustine’s conversion to Christianity.  They were dear friends, with Ambrose having had considerable influence on Augustine’s journey of faith.  Tradition holds that Ambrose baptized Augustine into Christianity.  Here is a wonderful quote from St Augustine that is very relevant to the beginning of our Year of Mercy: “Let your door stand open to receive Him, unlock your soul to Him, offer Him a welcome in your mind, and then you will see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the joy of grace. Throw wide the gate of your heart, stand before the sun of the everlasting light.”