Podcast Summary: “St. Ambrose” – Catholic Saints by Augustine Institute

Release Date: December 7, 2024

Introduction

In the December 7th episode of the Catholic Saints podcast, hosted by the Augustine Institute, Dr. Ben Akers and Dr. Elizabeth Klein delve into the life and legacy of St. Ambrose, a pivotal figure in the Western Church. This comprehensive discussion highlights St. Ambrose’s influential role in shaping Christian thought, his remarkable transition from a political leader to a spiritual guide, and his profound impact on St. Augustine’s conversion and subsequent contributions to the Church.

Early Life and Political Career

Dr. Ben Akers opens the conversation by positioning St. Ambrose as one of the four pillars of the Western Church, alongside St. Augustine, St. Gregory the Great, and St. Jerome. St. Ambrose was born into a Christian household but initially pursued a career in politics, following in his father’s footsteps. He became the Governor of Milan, a significant political role in the then-capital of the Roman Empire.

Dr. Elizabeth Klein provides context on Ambrose’s governance, noting, “Ambrose was raised in a Christian household, but he followed his father's footsteps in being a politician. So Ambrose was actually the governor of Milan and the surrounding area, which at that time was the capital of the Roman Empire” (00:22).

St. Ambrose’s Entrance into the Church

The transition from a political leader to a spiritual authority was swift and dramatic. Following the death of the Bishop of Milan during the tumultuous period of the Arian Controversy, a theological dispute concerning the nature of Christ's divinity, Ambrose was unexpectedly elected as Bishop.

Dr. Elizabeth Klein explains the circumstances: “Ambrose, who was a governor, who was not even baptized… gets elected bishop, he tries to run away, but he's not able to escape. And he's baptized, ordained and installed as bishop within a week” (01:42).

This rapid transition underscores Ambrose's innate leadership qualities and the immense respect he commanded, even before his formal induction into the clergy.

Influence on St. Augustine’s Conversion

A significant portion of the discussion centers on St. Ambrose’s pivotal role in the spiritual journey of St. Augustine. Initially, Augustine was a seeker, disillusioned by his experiences with the Manicheans, a religious group he once followed. Ambrose’s eloquence and genuine charity drew Augustine towards the Christian faith.

Dr. Ben Akers reflects on this encounter: “Augustine… was not baptized… but what he spoke was the truth. When he heard the sort of Manichean, the famous Manichean speaker, he thought he spoke very well, but that he wasn’t able to answer his questions and that he didn’t speak the truth” (05:05).

Dr. Elizabeth Klein adds, “Augustine… comes to love him, not at first as a teacher of the truth… but for his kindness towards me” (15:03). This highlights that Ambrose’s personal character and genuine charity were instrumental in Augustine’s eventual embrace of Christian doctrine.

St. Ambrose’s Character and Leadership

St. Ambrose is portrayed as a model of disciplined leadership and unwavering faith. His background in politics equipped him with the skills to navigate complex situations with fairness and integrity. One of the most compelling stories shared is Ambrose’s confrontation with Emperor Theodosius I.

Dr. Elizabeth Klein recounts the incident: “When the emperor… was involved in this massacre of 7,000 people, Ambrose excommunicates him and he actually refuses to let him back into communion… until he’s done public penance” (11:02). This act not only demonstrated Ambrose’s courage but also the growing authority of the Church in the Roman Empire.

Dr. Ben Akers emphasizes the visual and symbolic power of this event: “There’s some great art around that of having this Ambrose in his full bishop garments… forbidding the emperor to enter the church and commanding him to repent and believe in the Gospel” (12:23).

Legacy and Impact

St. Ambrose’s contributions extended beyond his confrontations with emperors. He was a prolific hymn composer, with many of his hymns still integral to Catholic liturgy today, especially during the Advent season. His liturgical reforms enhanced the worship experience, making it more accessible and profound for the faithful.

Dr. Ben Akers encourages listeners to explore Ambrose’s writings: “Find some of the reflections of Ambrose, especially his teaching on the Psalms… newadvent.org is a wonderful website” (16:06).

Dr. Elizabeth Klein highlights Ambrose’s sensitivity to pastoral needs: “Ambrose was… very sensitive to the pastoral needs of his flock and had liturgical reforms to allow them to appreciate their worship even more” (17:29).

His legacy is further cemented through his influence on St. Augustine, who became one of the most significant theologians in Christian history. Ambrose’s commitment to intellectual and spiritual growth provided Augustine with the foundation necessary for his own prolific contributions to theology.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with reflections on the enduring relevance of St. Ambrose’s life and teachings. Dr. Ben Akers draws a parallel between Ambrose and contemporary Church leaders, emphasizing the necessity of courage and integrity in pastoral roles: “When we see a good shepherd, we see our bishops, we see our pastors and our priests be brave and courageous and preach the gospel in season and out of season” (13:07).

Dr. Elizabeth Klein encapsulates Ambrose’s holistic impact: “Augustine is part of Ambrose's gift to the Church… Ambrose is actually the one who baptizes Augustine” (16:06). This historical continuity underscores the profound influence one individual can have on the spiritual trajectory of another, ultimately shaping the future of the Church.

Listeners are encouraged to emulate St. Ambrose’s blend of intellectual rigor, compassionate leadership, and unwavering faith to become conduits of grace in their own communities.

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Ben Akers (00:22): “We're talking about St. Ambrose today, and he is considered one of the forefathers of the church, of the Western church…”

• Dr. Elizabeth Klein (01:42): “Ambrose was raised in a Christian household, but he followed his father's footsteps in being a politician…”

• Dr. Ben Akers (04:27): “…can we even imagine putting a political leader in charge of somebody within the church today?”

• Dr. Elizabeth Klein (10:17): “…lay people have this specific charism of acquiring skills in the world that we bring to the church.”

• Dr. Ben Akers (12:23): “There’s some great art around that of having this Ambrose in his full bishop garments…”

• Dr. Elizabeth Klein (15:03): “…Augustine is part of Ambrose's gift to the Church… Ambrose is actually the one who baptizes Augustine.”

This in-depth exploration of St. Ambrose’s life not only honors his legacy but also provides valuable insights into the qualities that make a profound and lasting impact on both individuals and the broader Christian community.