The author praises Gratian’s zeal for instruction in the Faith, and speaks lowly of his own merits. Taught of God Himself, the Emperor stands in no need of human instruction; yet this his devoutness prepares the way to victory. The task appointed to the author is difficult: in the accomplishment whereof he will be guided not so much by reason and argument as by authority, especially that of the Nicene Council.
Saint Ambrose of Milan is one of the towering figures of the late 4th century AD. A high official in the western Roman government, Ambrose was conscripted against his will by the people of Milan to serve as their bishop. He would go on to become one of the most important fathers of the Western Church: a fierce opponent of heretics, admonisher of emperors, voluminous writer, worker of miracles, and the spiritual father of other great saints. This biography of Ambrose was written by one of the deacons who served under him: Paulinus of Milan. Paulinus was encouraged in this biographical effort by none other than Saint Augustine of Hippo, Ambrose's most famous disciple. Written in a style similar to other works of hagiography from the same time, such as the Life of Saint Anthony by Saint Athanasius, Paulinus places Ambrose in his historical and spiritual context, drawing an enduring picture of the man and his times that has helped to cement Ambrose as one of the great holy men of the ancient Church. As a primary source, The Life of Saint Ambrose includes numerous first-hand accounts which were witnessed by Paulinus himself or related to him by those close to Ambrose. The important figures whose lives intersected with that of Ambrose included the Roman emperors Gratian, Theodosius the Great, and Valentinian II; the Arian empress Justina; usurpers Eugenius and Arbogast; the magister militum Stilicho, and saints like Marcellina, Simplicianus, Bassianus, Venerius, and many others. This version of the Vita Sancti Ambrosii was rendered into English by Sr. Mary Kaniecka in 1928. It has been completely re-typeset for the modern reader with simplified punctuation, expanded bibliography, updated citations, and an index. It retains Sr. Kaniecka's introduction and historical commentary, and includes numerous additional notes added by the modern editor. (Note: this edition does not include Sr. Kaniecka's revised Latin text nor her commentary specific to the translation.)
St. Ambrose High, one of the most storied programs in Michigan high-school history, didn't even have its own football field. But success pulsated from the three-story building in Detroit between 1957 and 1967, when tiny St. Ambrose produced six football All-Americas, 16 all-state performers, future NFL players, and Super Bow champs. They were products of this legendary school where old-fashioned values trumped individual glory, and where football was the glue of this community.
From one of the foremost medievalists of our time, a groundbreaking work on history and memory that goes well beyond the life of this influential saint. Elected bishop of Milan by popular acclaim in 374, Ambrose went on to become one of the four original Doctors of the Church. There is much more to this book, however, than the captivating story of the bishop who baptized Saint Augustine in the fourth century. Trace and Aura investigates how a crucial figure from the past can return in different guises over and over again, in a city that he inspired and shaped through his beliefs and political convictions. His recurring lives actually span more than ten centuries, from the fourth to the sixteenth. In the process of following Ambrose’s various reincarnations, Patrick Boucheron draws compelling connections between religion, government, tyranny, the Italian commune, Milan’s yearning for autonomy, and many other aspects of this fascinating relationship between a city and its spiritual mentor who strangely seems to resist being manipulated by the needs and ambitions of those in power.
In "On the Duties of the Clergy" St. Ambrose gives a detailed and definitive instruction on how the early leaders of the Church should behave and how they should lead their flock. An important read for all of those called to become spiritual leaders. -- Amazon.com
"The Sacred Writings Of ..." provides you with the essential works among the Early Christian writings. The volumes cover the beginning of Christianity until before the promulgation of the Nicene Creed at the First Council of Nicaea. This volume is accurately annotated, including * an extensive biography of the author and his life Aurelius Ambrosius, better known in English as Saint Ambrose (c. between 337 and 340 – 4 April 397), was a bishop of Milan who became one of the most influential ecclesiastical figures of the 4th century. He was one of the four original doctors of the Church. (courtesy of wikipedia.com) This edition includes the following writings: Prolegomena to St. Ambrose. On the Duties of the Clergy. Introduction. Three Books on the Duties of the Clergy. Introduction to the Three Books of St. Ambrose on the Holy Spirit Three Books on the Holy Spirit. The Two Books on the Decease of His Brother Saytrus. Exposition of the Christian Faith On the Mysteries. Introduction. The Book Concerning the Mysteries. Two Books Concerning Repentance. Note on the Penitential Discipline of the Early Church. Concerning Virgins. Introduction. Three Books Concerning Virgins Concerning Widows. Introduction. The Treatise Concerning Widows. Selections from the Letters of St. Ambrose.
St Ambrose of Milan (AD 340-97) has always been considered one of the four great doctors of the Latin Church. He was a great ecclesiastical statesman, a successful bishop and administrator, and a prolific writer. His works contain numerous quotations from the New Testament; by examining them it is possible to learn something of the text available to him. The introduction deals with the syntax and vocabulary of Ambrose, giving examples of 'Europeanizes' and 'African-isms'. A list of Gr'cisms is also given, and there are notes on some select quotations from the New Testament. The examination shows that Ambrose's quotations generally reach a high standard of accuracy, showing agreement either with the Greek reading or a variant, or with some Latin MS. authority. The Ambrosias text is sometimes in agreement with Old Latin texts, while at other times it shows assimilation to a Vulgate text. It is interesting to note that Ambrose is an important witness to certain readings that are peculiar to the Codex Bezae.
