Ambrose was born in 337 or 339 in Treveris, he was member of a noble roman family; his father was Prefect in the pretorium. He studied Roman law and rhetoric; later he became a brilliant lawyer. He devoted himself to theology, to moral defense and the struggle against heresy; he defended church’s rights against the emperor and asked for public penitence to Theodosius after the destruction of Salonika.
He wrote beautiful books explaining the Holy Bible and advising practical methods to make progresses in sanctity. His treaty on virginity and purity was very famous. Many mothers were afraid that their daughters talked to this saint because he convinced them to keep being virgins and devote to religious life (He used to say: “I have never seen in my life a man who had to remain single because he did not find a woman to marry”).
Besides his wisdom to write, he had the gift to reconcile the enemies, so the government called him many times to serve as ambassador to negotiate peace with those who wanted the war, and the obtained very profitable armistices or peace treaties. He died in Milan in 397.
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