MEMORIAL OF SAINT AMBROSE, BISHOP
AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
Matthew 7:21, 24–27
Reflect
An unlikely candidate for bishop, Saint Ambrose became the bishop of Milan following the popular acclamation of a crowd. “Ambrose, bishop!” they cried. He was also one of the great choirmasters of Catholic history, credited with introducing a type of antiphonal congregational singing and with authoring numerous hymns. One of those, “Veni, Redemptor gentium” is an Advent hymn still sung in churches today. You may know it through the translation, “Savior of The Nations, Come.” My favorite verse is, “Not by human flesh and blood; / By the Spirit of our God / Was the Word of God made flesh, / Woman’s offspring, pure and fresh.” What a marvelous summary of the Incarnation, a beautiful little rhyme capturing the mysterious event that took place at the Annunciation!
Pray
O Word of God made flesh, born of the Virgin Mary, who saves us from our sins, take up a place in our hearts and minds, that we may never be parted from you. Amen.
Live
Find the Advent hymn “Savior of the Nations, Come.” Read its words or listen to a recording of the hymn being sung. Meditate on Saint Ambrose’s profound poetic theology.
