What a guy!

     Milan in 374 needed a new bishop.  There were two factions fighting for their platform and their candidate for this important See - the heretical group called the Arians and those of the traditional Catholic Church.  Into the fray stepped Ambrose, an educated Roman who served as Prefect of Liguia and Emilia, whose capital was Milan.  He was a layman, not yet baptized but accepted as a catechumen, and interested in the Faith.  He was prevailed upon by the people of Milan and encouraged by the emperor to accept the office of bishop of the city.  He was baptized, ordained and installed as bishop of Milan on December 7th, 374, all within a weeks time.  Talk about an accelerated timetable!

     He then embraced the task, accepted the challenged, and began to learn theology and develop his spiritual life.  He became a true shepherd and teacher of his people.  His preaching became a thing of legend.  Before his death on Holy Saturday in 397, he had converted Augustine to the Catholic Faith - Augustine, who would later become Bishop of Hippo in Northern Africa and another great champion of the Church.  Augustine had heard him preach in Milan, and sought him out.

     Ambrose is one of those wonderful companions that the Lord gives us for inspiration and guidance in our journey of life, someone of whom we might say: "What a guy!"

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     We must remember the lives lost on December 7th, 1941 (seventy years ago today) in the attack at Pearl Harbor.  It was indeed a day that would live in infamy.  May they rest in peace, as well as all who gave their lives in the war that followed.

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     This afternoon I joined with four other classmates and Saint Francis Seminary Alumni for our pre-Christmas lunch.  Fathers Joe Mele, David Schorr, Albie Schemp and Chet Raimer met for lunch in the Bloomfield section of Pittsburgh to share a meal and fellowship.  Unlike Ambrose with Augustine, none of them were responsible for my conversion, but they each are a part of my vocation to priesthood - and for that and for their friendship I am grateful.