Solemnity of Saint Ambrose
Due to its coincidence with Sunday, the liturgical solemnity is brought forward to Saturday 6 December.
7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Eucharistic celebrations in the Cathedral at 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
– 5:30 p.m. Vigil Eucharist for Sunday
You can follow the 5:30 p.m. celebration via live streaming on this website (www.duomomilano.it) from the Duomo Milano TV YouTube channel.
Ambrose was born in Trier (now Germany), apparently in the year 340, to a noble Roman family. After receiving a thorough literary education in Rome, he began his career as a magistrate in Sirmium (now Serbia).
In 374, while serving as governor of the province in Milan, he was unexpectedly appointed to take on the episcopal mission. As he was still a catechumen, he received baptism and a few days later, on 7 December, he was ordained bishop.
In the exercise of his ministry, he was generous to all, always defending the humble and the weak, and assiduous in prayer and meditation on the Holy Scriptures. Ambrose’s pastoral action was exceptionally effective, shining particularly in his work of initiating catechumens, in his genius for guiding the faithful to proclaim the praise of God and the truths of the faith in song, and in his exaltation of consecrated virginity. In the face of imperial authority, he defended the rights of the Church with tenacious courage. He died on Holy Saturday, 4 April, in the year 397.
The pontifical celebration presided over by Archbishop Mario Delpini, with the participation of the Metropolitan Chapter and the Duomo Music Chapel, will be held at the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio on Sunday, 7 December at 10.30 a.m.