St. Ambrose is nicknamed “the honey-tongued doctor” because his sermons were reportedly so mellifluous and provocative that the sermons calmed the crowds and taught doctrine to many. He is the first Doctor of the Catholic Church, nicknamed the Pastoral Doctor, for his sermons and writings. Ambrose was instrumental in the conversion of St. Augustine.

Honey has long been associated with St. Ambrose. At his birth, honey-bees surrounded the cradle and not one stung him (so, legend says, his dad named him Ambrose, the Latin name for honey). He is the patron of bee-keepers and those who work with wax.

Today, we’ll make a bath of Old German Honey Cookies

• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 2 cups unbleached flour
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger

Preheat oven to 350
Melt sugar, butter and honey together over low heat. Let cool. Mix eggs, vanilla, baking soda and ginger and gradually add to the cooled honey mixture. Slowly add 2 cups flour to the mixutre, stirring until well-blended. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden.