He became one of the great bishops of history: a powerful preacher, a writer of hymns still sung today, and a man who stood up to emperors. After the massacre at Thessalonica in 390, he refused Communion to Emperor Theodosius until he did public penance. And at the Easter Vigil of 387, he baptized a brilliant convert named Augustine, whose mother Monica had been praying for him for years.
Historical Context
Legend says a swarm of bees landed on his face as a baby and left a drop of honey, a sign of his future “honey-tongued” preaching. That’s why he’s patron of beekeepers. Monica once asked him whether she should fast on Saturdays as they did in Rome or not, as in Milan. His answer is the origin of “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
A Prayer to St Ambrose
St Ambrose, you were called suddenly to lead, and you said yes.
Pray for me when I’m asked to do something I don’t feel ready for.
Pray for preachers, teachers and leaders, that they speak the truth with courage.
And pray for those, like Augustine, who are searching for God.
Amen.
For Leaders Who Must Confront the Powerful
Lord, give leaders the courage of Ambrose,
to tell the powerful the truth, for the sake of their souls.
Amen.
For Beekeepers
St Ambrose, bless beekeepers and their hives.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer
- On 7 December, his feast.
- When taking on a role you didn’t expect.
- For someone preparing for baptism.
Scripture Connection
“How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” — Psalm 119:103
The bees in Ambrose’s legend point to this verse. His preaching made God’s Word sweet to the people of Milan, and to Augustine.
Related prayers
For Augustine’s mother, see the August 27 Prayer (St Monica). For Doctors of the Church, the St Jerome Prayer and St Anselm Prayer.