Catena Fidei

Ambrose of Milan, Concerning Widows. Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 10 (Schaff and Wace, 1896), public domain.

Passages · 15

Concerning Widows Chapter 1 — After having written about virgins, it seemed needful to say something concerning widows, since the Apostle joins the two classes together, and the latter are as it were teachers of the former, and far superior to…vatican.va
Concerning Widows Chapter 2 — The precepts of the Apostle concerning a widow indeed are laid down, such as, that she bring up children, attend to her parents, desire to please God, show herself irreproachable, set forth a ripeness of merits, have…vatican.va
Concerning Widows Chapter 3 — St. Ambrose returns to the story of the widow of Sarepta, and shows that she represented the Church, hence that she was an example to virgins, married women, and widows. Then he refers to the prophet as setting forth…vatican.va
Concerning Widows Chapter 4 — By the example of Anna St. Ambrose shows what ought to be the life of widows, and shows that she was an example of chastity at every age. From this he argues that there are three degrees of the same virtue, all of…vatican.va
Concerning Widows Chapter 5 — Liberality to the poor is recommended by the example of the widow the Gospel, whose two mites were preferred to the large gifts of the rich. The two mites are treated as mystically representing the two Testaments.…vatican.va
Concerning Widows Chapter 6 — Naomi is an instance of a widow receiving back from her daughter-in-law the fruits of her own good training, and is a token that necessary support will never fail the good widow. And if her life appears sad, she is…vatican.va
Concerning Widows Chapter 7 — By the example of Judith is shown that courage is not wanting in widows; her preparation for her visit to Holofernes is dwelt upon, as also her chastity and her wisdom, her sobriety and moderation. Lastly, St.…vatican.va
Concerning Widows Chapter 8 — Though many other widows came near to Judith in virtue, St. Ambrose proposes to speak of Deborah only. What a pattern of virtue she must have been for widows, who was chosen to govern and defend men. It was no small…vatican.va
Concerning Widows Chapter 9 — To an objection that the state of widowhood might indeed be endurable if circumstances were pleasant, St. Ambrose replies that pleasant surroundings are more dangerous than even trouble; and goes to show by examples…vatican.va
Concerning Widows Chapter 10 — St. Ambrose returns again to the subject of Christ, speaking of His goodness in all misery. The various ways in which the good Physician treats our diseases, and the quickness of the healing if only we do not neglect…vatican.va
Concerning Widows Chapter 11 — Having shown that the pretexts usually alleged for second marriages have no weight, St. Ambrose declares that he does not condemn them, though from the Apostle’s words he sets forth their inconveniences, though the…vatican.va
Concerning Widows Chapter 12 — The difference between matters of precept and of counsel is treated of, as shown in the case of the young man in the Gospel, and the difference of the rewards set forth both for counsels and precepts is spoken of.…vatican.va
Concerning Widows Chapter 13 — St. Ambrose, treating of the words in the Gospel concerning eunuchs, condemns those who make themselves such. Those only deserve praise who have through continence gained the victory over themselves, but no one is to…vatican.va
Concerning Widows Chapter 14 — Though a widow may have received no commandment, yet she has received so many counsels that she ought not to think little of them. St. Ambrose would be sorry to lay any snare for her, seeing that the field of the…vatican.va
Concerning Widows Chapter 15 — St. Ambrose meets the objection of those who make the desire of having children an excuse for second marriage, and especially in the case of those who have children of their former marriage; and points out the…vatican.va

Scripture cited · 98 verses

Passages · 15

Scripture cited · 98 verses

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