Today is St Ambrose Day when many will think of that great Italian city of Milan which is associated with this saint who was its bishop from 374 to 397.

In Milan the Ambrosian Rite is the norm in church which not only means that the Mass is a little different but so is the calendar.

The Ambrosian Advent begins on the Sunday after St Martin’s Day on 11 November which means that in Milan next Sunday is the 5th Sunday of Advent.

This maybe gives more time to reflect than we have or even allow ourselves to have.

Today’s St Ambrose Day celebration in Milan Cathedral is at 5.30pm.