Saint Ambrose of Milan
The collect for today, the Feast of St Ambrose (339-397), Bishop of Milan, Doctor of the Church, Poet (source):
Lord God of hosts,
who didst call Ambrose from the governor’s throne
to be a bishop in thy Church
and a courageous champion of thy faithful people:
mercifully grant that, as he fearlessly rebuked rulers,
so we may with like courage
contend for the faith which we have received;
through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord,
who liveth and reigneth with thee,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
For the Epistle: Ecclesiasticus 2:7-11, 16-18
The Gospel: St Luke 12:35-37, 42-44
Artwork: Benozzo Gozzoli, Saint Ambrose baptising Saint Augustine, 1464-65. Fresco, Apsidal chapel, Sant’Agostino, San Gimignano.