Saints and Holy People

Find out about their lives and how they changed the world

Saint Ambrose of Milan (c. 340–397)

Saint Ambrose of Milan (c. 340–397)

Patron saint of beekeepers and learning

Feast day: December 7




Those who knew Saint Ambrose were divided between those who admired him and those who loathed him. This division stemmed from Ambrose’s personality and how he practiced his ministry. Ambrose would publicly do verbal battle with anyone, even people of nobility and power. In private, Ambrose was quiet, calm, and passionate in his faith.

It was this side of Ambrose that helped convert Saint Augustine to Christianity. The sermons and writings of Saint Ambrose focused on the human soul and did not concentrate on material reality. He was also a passionate supporter of consecrated virginity. 

(Francisco de Zurbarán, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)