The Ambrosiani

Gleanings.

I have been praying the hours of Lauds and Vespers - lately I’ve been substituting hymns from the old breviary. And each time I am moved by a particular hymn it always ends with this - Ambrosian, 5th-6th Century. In fact, all his hymns and those that imitated his in affection became the "nucleus of a body of 'Ambrosiani' which still keeps its place in the Roman Breviary".

There were hymns in Greek before St Ambrose's. But they were still only written poems. St Hilary in his remote Gallic diocese wrote beautiful hymns - but with no melodies. St Jerome writes that Hilary complained that the Gauls (my ancient ancestors, no less 😊) were "unteachable in sacred song" and could not for the life of them carry a tune. Hilary settled for a group recitation.

But down there in North Africa, music was stirring in the hearts of the Christians. Rome had settled these lands and brought the Latin language with it. Carthage was the place where the psalmody was first chanted in Latin. But the hymns of the future office were to find their origin in Milan, Italy. Ambrose was their author! When I think of Ambrose I envision a slight, energetic sort of man with quick movements and an expressive face. A man with sympathy and kindness flowing in and around his academic genius and his poet's heart. Stout hearted but not brash or frighteningly passionate like a Jerome. Just a lovely, artistic Italian and all that brings to mind. I envision a curly head of dark brown hair.

Unfortunately, the Arian heresy was making its way into Milan and St Ambrose was fighting a great battle of wills with the Empress Justina - the Arian queen of Milan - defending the teachings of the Church. She finally had him cornered with her soldiers one day outside his basilica which he refused to yield to her Arian takeover. He ran inside, followed by a great crowd of his faithful followers and they shut the door. A siege began.

To keep his followers busy "lest the people wax faint through the tediousness of sorrow" he made them sing. He organized their day with a course of devotions to be prayed and sung. He surprised them all with hymns of his own composition and to their delight he taught them all how to sing them. Day and night they sang. The hymns were filled with Theology - fully apostolic. Defending the teachings of Christ in a beautiful, poetic way. They floated out the windows and even caught the hearts of the soldiers sent to capture the saint. They joined in the song on the other side of the windows. Ambrose won the siege. And his hymns were born. Eventually, they made their way throughout the Church in Europe - and to my delight, were especially loved by the Irish Church - which is no surprise to me - they lilt in a way the Irish must love.

People began to sing them when they woke their families in the morning to greet the sun and people began to sing them when they lit the lamps in the windows as the sun set. Thus were the original hours of Matins and Vespers born - in family homes. I find that so delightful! They began to sing them at the three hours between their work during the day which is described in the Acts of the Apostles. Eventually, the hours made their way into the Churches and were sung night and day by clerics organized and set apart for such a task. Two more hours were added. And thus, the birth of the Divine Office as we might know it unfolded. And it was filled with Ambrose's hymns.

And what a difference a beautiful hymn makes. And a good translator! Here is one of Ambrose's compositions that I sang this morning. Truly he had a wonderful muse. And I wonder now if it is not the Ambrosian influence to end all the hymns with a doxology to the Father, the SON, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus declared equal to the others.

O God, the light of heaven above,

you open wide your great right hand,

to stew with light the firmament,

upheld by your paternal arm.

Already dawn has veiled the stars:

she lifts her streams of reddish gold

and with a moist and gentle breeze

baptizes earth with sparkling dew.

Now as the shades of night withdraw

and darkness fleeing, quits the sky,

the daystar, figure of the Christ,

bestirs and wakes the sleeping day.

O God, you are the Day of days,

and you alone the Light of light,

one God of power throughout all things

almighty Godhead, Three in One.

To you, O Savior, now we raise

our humble prayer on bended knee,

as with full voice we sing and praise

the Father and the Spirit blest. Amen.