St. Jerome

St. Jerome (342–420) was born Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus in Stridon, Dalmatia (present-day Croatia or Slovenia). Educated by the famous Roman grammarian Aelius Donatus, he learned Latin and Greek. At age 12, he traveled to Rome to study grammar, philosophy, and rhetoric, but quickly abandoned his moral values.

In 366, Jerome decided to become a Christian and was baptized by Pope Liberius. After his conversion, he dedicated himself to theological studies, traveling to Trier and then to a monastery in Aquileia. In 374, he reached Antioch, where he began writing and had religious visions during an illness.

Jerome lived as a hermit in the desert for four years, was ordained a priest, and served as secretary to Pope Damasus in Rome. In 386, he settled in Bethlehem, where he founded a monastery and dedicated his life to translating the Bible from Hebrew and Old Latin into Latin, creating the Vulgate.

Liturgical Celebration

The feast of St. Jerome is celebrated on September 30, the date of his death. It is a time to pray for scholars, translators, and librarians, and to be inspired by his example of dedication to the study of Scripture.

Traditions and Customs

Parishes and communities promote biblical studies, prayers for scholars, and acts of charity in his memory, highlighting the importance of Scripture study and Christian scholarship.