December 7
St Ambrose
Monday, week 2 of Advent
St Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, is remembered today for his remarkable contributions to the faith during the late fourth century. Born into a Roman Christian family, Ambrose became bishop of Milan at a time of social and religious upheaval, when the Church was faced with the challenge of Arianism—a theological movement denying Christ’s full divinity. Ambrose’s intellect, eloquence in preaching, and deep personal holiness equipped him for both defending the Nicene faith and guiding his flock in turbulent times. Notably, Ambrose is known for his compassionate approach to catechesis, his influential writings on the sacraments, Christian ethics, and his efforts to promote liturgical music in worship. His firm but merciful leadership also helped inspire other great figures of the Church, most famously St Augustine, whom Ambrose baptized.
The Church commemorates St Ambrose for his theological insight, pastoral zeal, and courage in both defending the faith and standing up to imperial power when necessary. His legacy continues to shape Christian doctrine and spirituality, and his writings remain significant sources for Catholic teaching and devotion. As Advent invites us to deeper conversion and hope, the example of St Ambrose reminds us of the importance of speaking the truth with love, seeking justice, and remaining steadfast in our faith.
Permanent link
Ask a question about today’s feast
Questions about St Ambrose (Novus Ordo Missae)
The liturgical day
Mass readings
ReadingIs 35, 1-10
The desert and the thirsty land,
let them rejoice!
The arid land, let it exult
and blossom like the rose,
let it be covered with wild flowers,
let it exult and shout for joy!
The glory of Lebanon is given to it,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon.
They will see the glory of the Lord,
the splendor of our God.
Strengthen limp hands,
make firm knees that are weak,
say to those who are fearful:
“Be strong, do not be afraid.
Here is your God:
it is vengeance that is coming,
the retribution of God.
He himself is coming
and will save you.”
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the mute shall shout with joy;
for water will spring forth in the desert,
streams in the arid land.
The parched earth will become a lake,
the thirsty ground, bubbling waters.
In the lair where jackals dwell,
grass shall become reeds and rushes.
There will be a highway, a road
that will be called: the Holy Way.
No unclean person shall travel on it
– he follows his own way –
and fools will not wander on it.
There will be no lion there,
no ferocious beast will appear,
it will not be found there;
but the redeemed will walk there.
Those whom the Lord has freed return,
they enter Zion with shouts of joy,
crowned with everlasting joy.
Gladness and joy come upon them,
pain and sorrow flee away.
– The Word of the Lord.
PsalmPs 84 (85), 9ab.10, 11-12, 13-14
I listen: what will the Lord God say?
What he speaks is peace for his people and his faithful;
his salvation is near to those who fear him,
and glory will dwell in our land.
Love and truth will meet,
justice and peace will embrace;
truth will spring up from the earth
and justice will look down from heaven.
The Lord will grant his blessings,
and our land will yield its fruit.
Justice will walk before him,
and his footsteps will mark the way.
GospelLc 5, 17-26
One day, while Jesus was teaching,
there were Pharisees in the crowd
and teachers of the Law,
who had come from all the villages of Galilee and Judea,
as well as from Jerusalem;
and the power of the Lord was at work
for him to perform healings.
Some men arrived, carrying on a stretcher
a man who was paralyzed;
they were trying to bring him in
to place him before Jesus.
But, not seeing how to do this because of the crowd,
they went up onto the roof
and, by removing the tiles,
they let him down with his stretcher
in the very middle in front of Jesus.
Seeing their faith, he said:
“Man, your sins are forgiven you.”
The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason,
“Who is this man? He speaks blasphemies!
Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, answered them:
“Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?
Which is easier?
To say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’
or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
But so that you may know that the Son of Man
has authority on earth to forgive sins”—
he said to the man who was paralyzed—
“I tell you,
rise, take your stretcher
and return to your house.”
At that very moment, the man got up before them,
took what he had been lying on,
and went back to his house glorifying God.
All were seized with amazement and they gave glory to God.
Filled with awe, they said,
“We have seen extraordinary things today!”
– Let us acclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org