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Also known as: Ambrogio
Sansedoni
Profile
The son of a book illuminator, he was born so badly deformed that his
mother gave him off to the care of a nurse. The nurse claimed that the
only time the child was peaceful was in the local Dominican church,
especially when near the altar of relics. Legend says that one day in
church, the nurse covered the baby's face with a scarf; an unknown pilgrim
told her, "Do not cover that child's face. He will one day be the glory of
this city." A few days later the child suddenly stretch out his twisted
limbs, pronounced the name "Jesus", and all deformity left him.
A pious child, getting up during the nights to pray and meditate. At age
two he was given the choice of two of his father's books - and chose the
one about saints. From age seven he daily recited the Little Office of the
Blessed Virgin. Charitable, and even when young he worked with the poor,
the abandoned, and the sick.
When he announced he wanted to join the preaching friars, his parents and
friends tried to talk him out of it. But Ambrose had heard the call, and
joined the friars on his 17th birthday.
Studied in Paris with Saint Thomas Aquinas under Saint Albert the Great,
and then went to Cologne with Albert. Ambrose wanted to write, but saw the
greatness of Saint Thomas, decided he could not match it, and devoted
himself to preaching.
Worked on peace missions. Evangelized in Germany, France, and Italy.
Mystic. Received ecstasies. Visionary. Known to levitate when preaching,
and was seen circled in a mystic light in which flew bright birds.
Born: 1220 at Siena, Italy
Died: 1287 of natural causes
Beatified: 1622 (cultus confirmed)
Patronage: betrothed couples, affianced couples, engaged couples,
Siena Italy
Representation: Dominican with a dove at his ear; holding a model of
Siena; holding a book; preaching
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