Memorial of St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
St. Ambrose of Milan, bishop and Doctor of the Church (†397). Born in 340 in Trier, German (then the Roman city of Augusta Treverorum). He studied law and rhetoric in Rome, and became a governor in northern Italy with his headquarters in Milan. Upon the Bishop of Milan’s death, although yet a catechumen, Ambrose was acclaimed by the people as the new bishop of Milan. He was one of the chief figures in the conversion of St. Augustine of Hippo.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Is 40:25-31
To whom can you liken me as an equal? Says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these things: He leads out their army and numbers them, calling them all by name. By His great might and the strength of His power not one of them is missing! Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know or have you not heard? The LORD is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and His knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak He makes vigor abound. Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, they that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10 (R. 1)
R. O bless the Lord, my soul!
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless His holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all His benefits. R.
He pardons all your iniquities,
He heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
He crowns you with kindness and compassion. R.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
Not according to our sins does He deal with us,
nor does He requite us according to our crimes. R.
Gospel – Mt 11:28-30
Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy, and My burden light.”
Featured Saints
St. John the Silent, bishop († 558). Resigning from his office as Bishop of Colonia (Taxara), Armenia, he entered the monastery of St. Sabas, in Palestine, where he lived a life of humble service in reclusion and silence.
St. Athenodoros, martyr (†circa 304). After enduring many torments for refusing to renounce his Faith, he was put to death during the Diocletian persecutions in Syria.
St. Fara (Burgundofara), abbess († 657). Benedictine nun, sister of St. Faro, Bishop of Meaux and St. Cagnoald, Bishop of Laon. Blessed and consecrated to God In her infancy by Irish missionary St. Columbanus. She overcame strong opposition from her father to follow her religious vocation. The abbey over which she presided as abbess for 36 years became famous as Faremoutiers (Fara’s Monastery).
St. Maria Giuseppe Rossello, virgin († 1880). In Savona, Italy, she founded the Institute of the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy, dedicated to charitable works and to the education of poor girls, establishing 68 foundations before her death.
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