St Ambrose
St Ambrose (c.339 – 397), born Aurelius Ambrosius, was doctor of the Church, born at Trèves. He became bishop of Milan in 374. He was one of the Fathers of the Latin Church, and a zealous opponent of the Arian heresy. He is known for introducing much Eastern theology and liturgical practice into the West. As a stern puritan, Saint Ambrose refused to allow Theodosius to enter his church, covered as his hands were with the blood of an infamous massacre, and only admitted him to Church privilege after a severe penance of eight months. He improved the Church service, wrote several hymns, which are reckoned his most valuable legacy to the Church. His writings fill two vols. folio. He is the Patron saint of Milan. His attributes are a 'scourge', from his severity; and a 'beehive', from the tradition that a swarm of bees settled on his mouth when an Infant without hurting him. Festival, Dec. 7.Wisdom & Quotes
- When I am here (in Milan), I do not fast on the Sabbath; When I am at Rome, I do fast on the Sabbath.
- Letters to Augustine
- Death is a harbor of peace for the just, but is believed a shipwreck for the wicked.
– De bono mortis
- It is not death therefore that is burdensome, but the fear of death.
– De bono mortis
- If you are at Rome, live in the Roman style; if you are elsewhere, live as they live there.
- Neither angel, nor archangel, nor yet even the Lord Himself (who alone can say "I am with you"), can, when we have sinned, release us, unless we bring repentance with us.
- But it is not only of the space in the Church which we ought to be jealous, but also of the interiors of the house of God in us, so that it might not become a house of merchandise, or a den of robbers.
- How far, O rich, do you extend your senseless avarice? Do you intend to be the sole inhabitants of the earth? Why do you drive out the fellow sharers of nature, and claim it all for yourselves? The earth was made for all, rich and poor, in common. Why do you rich claim it as your exclusive right? The soil was given to the rich and poor in common—wherefore, oh, ye rich, do you unjustly claim it for yourselves alone? Nature gave all things in common for the use of all; usurpation created private rights. Property hath no rights. The earth is the Lord's, and we are his offspring. The pagans hold earth as property. They do blaspheme God.
- You are not making a gift of what is yours to the poor man, but you are giving him back what is his. You have been appropriating things that are meant to be for the common use of everyone. The earth belongs to everyone, not to the rich.
St Jerome