Saint Ambrose: Courage Before Emperors
Ambrose displayed fearless courage in preaching the Gospel when it cost him everything.
- Unbaptized bishop: Elected bishop by popular acclamation while still a catechumen, he tried to flee the city to avoid the office. Once consecrated, he gave away his fortune to the poor and preached Christ without compromise.
- Defied emperors: Faced the Arian Empress Justina, who demanded a basilica for her sect; Ambrose barricaded himself inside with the congregation, introduced antiphonal singing to keep them awake, and declared, “The emperor is within the Church, not above it.” Troops surrounded the church—he never yielded.
- Publicly excommunicated Theodosius: After the emperor ordered a massacre in Thessalonica (7,000 dead), Ambrose met him at the church door and barred entry until he performed public penance (390). The most powerful man in the world knelt barefoot in the snow for months.
- Preached truth to power daily: His fearless sermons converted and baptized St. Augustine, thundered against paganism, and defended Nicene orthodoxy when it was politically suicidal.
Leadership Lessons for Catholic Leaders
Ambrose’s motto: “Where Peter is, there is the Church.” He proved that true Gospel courage is speaking the Word even when emperors, armies, and public opinion stand against you.
