Ambrose was born in Trier, where his father was praefectus praetorio of Gaul. He studied in Rome and, shortly after turning thirty, was appointed governor of Liguria and Emilia, with Milan as his residence.
We know well the story of how he unexpectedly became bishop of that Church. At that time, Ambrose was only a catechumen. He was baptized and instructed in the faith by a great teacher, the priest Saint Simplician, who later also guided Saint Augustine. Simplician gave Ambrose’s theology a strong Neoplatonic orientation.
More because of his personal gifts than the political importance of his diocese, Ambrose became a true spiritual father to the emperors Gratian, Valentinian II, and Theodosius I, who deeply valued him. Alongside his admirable pastoral work, he stood out as a writer, leaving behind a rich literary heritage. For Ambrose—as for Augustine, whom he baptized—the role of a bishop was above all to be a teacher of Christian doctrine. As an author, his style and elegance are among the highest in Latin Christian literature.
He died in Milan on April 4, 397. Since that date often falls within the Easter celebrations, both the Ambrosian rite and the Roman and Byzantine rites chose instead to celebrate him on the anniversary of his episcopal consecration, December 7, 374. It is striking that the Church of Rome did not begin to celebrate this great saint of the Milanese (“Ambrosian”) Church until the 12th century.
