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St Ambrose, 330-397, was formerly governor of a Roman province whose seat was Milan. He became Bishop and was a brilliant preacher. He defended the teachings of the Church, through his writings, against the heresy of Arianism. Patron of Milan, St. Ambrose is best known for his help in converting St. Augustine, and baptised him after his conversion.

St Ambrose is one of the four great Doctors of the Western Church. His feast day is December 7th.

Sts Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome, and Pope Gregory I were the original Doctors of the Church and were named in 1298. They are known collectively as the Great Doctors of the Western Church.

The four Great Doctors of the Eastern Church:
Sts John Chrysostom,
Basil the Great,
Gregory of Nazianzus
and Athanasius
were recognized in 1568 by Pope St. Pius V.

A Doctor of the Church, (from the Latin docere, to teach), is a saint from whose writings the whole Church is held to have derived great advantage and to whom "eminent learning" and "great sanctity" have been attributed. The honour is always bestowed posthumously.

St Ambrose