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 26:1-6
On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah: “A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith. A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you.” Trust in the LORD forever! For the LORD is an eternal Rock. He humbles those in high places, and the lofty city He brings down; he tumbles it to the ground, levels it with the dust. It is trampled underfoot by the needy, by the footsteps of the poor.
Responsorial Psalm – Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a (R.26a)
R.Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,
for His mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD
than to trust in princes. R.
Open to me the gates of justice;
I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD.
This gate is the LORD’s;
the just shall enter it.
I will give thanks to You, for You have answered me
and have been my savior. R.
O LORD, grant salvation!
O LORD, grant prosperity!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD;
we bless You from the house of the LORD.
The LORD is God, and He has given us light. R.
Gospel – Mt 7:21, 24-27
Jesus said to His disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in Heaven. “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”
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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