St. Ambrose, Bishop & Doctor of the Church (7 December): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan and Doctor of the Church († AD 397), stands as one of the greatest pastors in Christian history. This full reading from The Lives of the Saints by Fr. Alban Butler (December 7 – St. Ambrose) recounts his heroic courage, deep humility, and fearless defense of the Catholic faith against Arianism and imperial pressure. In this video, you’ll hear how a brilliant Roman governor was unexpectedly chosen as Bishop of Milan, how he gave away his wealth to the poor, purified his diocese from heresy, and instructed emperors — even barring the great Theodosius from Holy Communion after the massacre of Thessalonica until he had done public penance. 📌 Highlights in this reading: Ambrose’s noble Roman upbringing and prodigious learning His miraculous election as Bishop of Milan Heroic resistance to the Arian Empress Justina The discovery of martyrs’ relics and miracles at Milan His strong teaching on virginity, penance, and the Eucharist His role in the conversion and baptism of St. Augustine His courageous correction of Emperor Theodosius His holy death and enduring legacy as a Doctor of the Church This is a powerful audio-style reading for anyone interested in: The lives of the saints Early Church history and the Roman Empire Catholic teaching on penance, the Eucharist, virginity, and episcopal authority The example of a bishop who fearlessly defended the truth while overflowing with charity 🙏 Feast Day: December 7 – St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church 00:00 – Introduction: St. Ambrose, Bishop & Doctor of the Church 00:26 – Invincible Courage & Episcopal Virtue 02:06 – Noble Roman Origins & Childhood Portents (The Bees) 03:34 – Studies, Roman Career & Rapid Rise in Public Office 04:53 – Election as Bishop of Milan & Attempt to Flee the Call 06:11 – Baptism, Consecration & Total Renunciation of Wealth 07:11 – Life of Prayer, Fasting & Charity to the Poor 10:02 – Teaching on Virginity & the Life of Consecrated Virgins 13:16 – Widows, Consecrated Virgins & the Defense of Mary’s Perpetual Virginity 17:11 – Emperors, Barbarians & the Rise of Theodosius 19:41 – Redeeming Captives & Selling Church Gold for Souls 21:48 – Death of Satyrus & Hope in the Resurrection 22:54 – Councils, Heresies & Defense of the Catholic Faith 24:00 – Emperor Gratian, Pagan Revival & the Altar of Victory 28:03 – St. Ambrose vs. Symmachus & Pagan Arguments Refuted 28:55 – Empress Justina, Arian Intrigues & the Fight for the Basilicas 35:01 – Surrounded by Soldiers: Ambrose Refuses to Surrender the Church 39:18 – Hymns, Antiphonal Singing & the Birth of Ambrosian Chant 40:29 – Discovery of the Martyrs Gervasius and Protasius & Miraculous Healings 43:37 – Maximus, Usurpation & Ambrose’s Dangerous Embassies 49:01 – Theodosius, Holy Empress Flavia, & the Defense of Nicene Faith 55:04 – Valentinian II, Baptism Delayed & His Tragic Death 1:03:00 – The Massacre of Thessalonica & Ambrose’s Prophetic Rebuke 1:08:02 – Imperial Penance, Public Humiliation & a Law Against Rash Sentences 1:10:15 – “I Know but One True Bishop”: Theodosius’ Humility at Milan 1:13:13 – Defeat of Eugenius & Arbogastes & Theodosius’ Last Victory 1:16:51 – The Emperor’s Holy Death in the Arms of St. Ambrose 1:17:33 – Miracles: Relics of Nazarius & Celsus, Healings & Exorcisms 1:19:24 – Confession, Penance & the Tears of a Holy Bishop 1:23:05 – Teaching on the Holy Eucharist & the Real Presence 1:25:19 – On Clergy, Discipline & the Offices of Ministers 1:26:44 – Foretelling His Death, Final Vision & Last Communion 1:28:38 – Death of St. Ambrose (April 4, 397) & Veneration of His Relics 1:30:07 – Later Miracles & Protection of Christendom Through His Intercession 1:31:02 – Legacy: Firm in Doctrine, Tender in Charity https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/december/st-ambrose-b-c-doctor-of-the-church/ Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 Support Catholic Businesses here - https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ Sensus Fidelium Press - https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ Sensus Fidelium Apps - https://sensusfidelium.tv/ Support Sensus Fidelium - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #StAmbrose #AmbroseOfMilan #LivesOfTheSaints #AlbanButler #CatholicSaints #DoctorOfTheChurch #ChurchFathers #CatholicHistory #EarlyChurch #TraditionalCatholic #CatholicFaith #ArianHeresy #Theodosius #StAugustine #Eucharist #Penance #Confession #CatholicYouTube #ChristianHistory

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• Church & Fellowship
• The Church