Wednesday-2nd week of Advent 2011

Today is December 7, and it is also the feast day of St. Ambrose, the bishop of Milan, Italy. Along with St. Nicholas from yesterday, he was one of the 318 bishops who defended the Faith against the Arian heresy. Thank God they prevailed.

With the sweet way of talking, he converted many Arians, as well as a young man whose mother, Monica, had asked Ambrose to prayer for her son. Eventually, the young man was converted from his evil ways, and baptized into the Catholic Church. His name was Augustine. He went on to become one of the most knowledgeable saints of the Faith. His transcribing of scripture in various languages led to us having a certain set of books to study, because it was determined which ones were Divinely inspired.
Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome, and St. Gregory the Great were the first Holy Doctors of the Church, and deserve our thanks and prayers, especially in this trying time in the Church, when the shepherds seem to have gone blind. Let's ask these saints to help today's church, especially our Holy Father.

Let us now study a hymn honoring this great saint:

Let us all sing the praises of our august father, who drove from the land the turbid storms of a tempestuous age.
A babe, he sleeps; when lo! a swarm of bees lights on his flowery lips; these honeymakers thus telling us that here was one who would captivate men by the sweetness of his eloquence.
Prescient of the future, he must have his infant hand honoured with kisses; and he who has scarce been freed from swathing bands, plays with the fillets of a mitre.
A boy cries out, and Milan would have Ambrose receive the mitre: Ambrose flees from it, but honours ever pursue those who run from them.
At last the sacred mitre crowns this head where wisdom sits; the helmet once on, our warrior gives Arius battle.
Unflinching, he fears neither sceptres, nor a haughty empress; and when a blood-stained Caesar attempts to enter the church, he closes the doors against him and repels him from the holy spot.
He washes away the sins of Augustine in the heavenly laver of baptism; companion to the martyrs by his faith, he discovers the relics of martyrs.
Holy pontiff, now with thy scourge drive away far from us the furious wolf of hell: that flock which thou once didst govern, let it for ever enjoy thy protection.
To God the Father, and to His only Son, and to the holy Paraclete, be glory now and for all ages.
Amen.