The Ambrosian Rite, also called the Milanese Rite,  is as old as, if not older than, the  Roman Rite. Even though Milan is one of the larger Italian cities, and the Archdiocese provides pastoral care for a great number of people, the people directly affected by the Ambrosian Rite on a daily or even weekly basis are few, when compared to the rest of the "western" Catholic world which uses (for the most part) the Roman Rite.

     Legend says that St. Ambrose instituted the Rite in Milan and that his successor, St. Simplician, made further adjustments. The research, however, suggests that before the 9^th century, much of the Rite's history is ambiguous; scholars still debate where the Rite came from, and how it was influenced by several other liturgical systems, such as the Gallican Rite (long gone), some of the Eastern Church Rites, and even the Roman Rite. And the Milanese have had their influence on the Roman Rite, as well.

     History tells us that liturgy is sometimes the political tool of those who exercise power and control over others, even in the secular sphere. Charlemagne tried to force  the Roman Rite on his empire, thinking that a uniform liturgical system would help unify all his subjects. He intended to supplant the Gallican Rite, then in use in his kingdom, as well as its variations, and other Rites, too. The Church in Milan was no stranger to these efforts.   Emperors, Kings, Princes and Popes have attempted to suppress the Ambrosian Rite throughout the centuries, but it has survived quite well and is experienced today in the Churches, parishes and religious houses of the Archdiocese.  Individuals, too,  have shown renewed interest in the liturgical life of the Archdiocese.

     The Rite is an entire Sacramental system. It includes the Mass, Sacraments and, of course, The Ambrosian Rite has also had influence on the Roman Rite's new Liturgy of the Hours, and certainly was a model and inspiration for some of the short breviaries. Those who concern themselves with the Liturgy of the Hours and its public celebration find elements in the Ambrosian breviary not found anywhere else in the Roman Rite: for example, the Lucernarium, (a service of light which introduces Vespers) In the Ambrosian Rite, hymns are generally placed at the beginning of an hour. The only exception was at Vespers, and that was due to Roman influence. The current Liturgy of the Hours used the Ambrosian office as a model and all hymns are placed at the beginning of each hour of the divine office.  The Ambrosian breviary contains the Milanese form of the divine office, and it is this text and structure that relates to the "short breviary" study.

     We know that St. Charles Borromeo, after the Council of Trent, made a number of changes in the office, among which were the separation of Matins from Lauds. Prior to then, they were one unit. Some additional changes have been made at various times (1859, 1902, 1913, 1955) and the current Ambrosian breviary (now in its second printing) has been reformed according to the basic principles of the Second Vatican Council's own reform of the Liturgy of the Hours. Most of the changes made since Borromeo's time have been minor, and involve simplification of rubrics, etc. While there are some in the Church who would like to see one uniform Rite, the Ambrosian Rite lives today and is a daily fact of life in Milan's people