Q. On the feast of St. Ambrose, the priest said in his homily that Ambrose, while governor of Milan, was elected by the people as bishop of that city in 374. The priest also stated that Ambrose was baptized after having been nominated as bishop. Is that true? – L.A.F., Florida

A. Yes, it is true. When the Arian bishop of Milan died in 374, supporters of Arianism and Catholicism caused an uproar in the city over who should be the next bishop. Ambrose, the governor of Milan and a nominal Christian who had not yet been baptized, went to the cathedral to quiet the opposing factions. Amid all the turmoil, the voice of a small child was heard saying, “Ambrose, bishop,” and soon the crowd began chanting, “Ambrose, bishop,” and unanimously elected him to the post.

At first unwilling to become bishop, Ambrose acquiesced when the Emperor Valentinian ratified the election. He presented himself for Baptism, was consecrated bishop on December 7, 374, and went on to become one of the greatest saints in the Church’s history. He is remembered for his vigorous opposition to the Arian heresy, his homilies and commentaries on Scripture, and his role in the conversion of the future St. Augustine.