Saint Jerome
Stored in Cargo: Saint Jerome
| Saint Jerome | |
| Feast Day | September 30 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Translators, librarians, scholars, archaeologists |
| Birthplace | Stridon, Dalmatia, Roman Empire |
| Death Place | Bethlehem, Judea |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Rome, Italy |
Saint Jerome (c. 342–347 – September 30, 420), also known as Jerome of Stridon or Hieronymus, was a Latin saint, priest, monk, theologian, and Doctor of the Church, renowned for translating the Bible into Latin, creating the *Vulgate*. Born in Stridon, Dalmatia, to Christian parents, he studied rhetoric in Rome, was baptized at 19, and lived as an ascetic in Chalcis, Syria, learning Hebrew. Ordained a priest in Antioch around 379, he served as secretary to Pope Damasus I in Rome (382–385), revising Latin Gospel texts. After Damasus’s death, he settled in Bethlehem, establishing a monastery and continuing his translations, completing the *Vulgate* by 405. His extensive writings include biblical commentaries, *De Viris Illustribus* (biographies of Christian figures), and letters advocating asceticism and women’s education. Jerome died of natural causes in Bethlehem in 420. Canonized pre-Congregation, he was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1298 by Pope Boniface VIII. His feast day is September 30 in the Roman Catholic Church, June 15 in the Eastern Orthodox Church. He is patron of translators, librarians, scholars, and archaeologists.[1][2]
His relics rest in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Rome, with fragments in other churches. The *Vulgate* became the Catholic Church’s standard Bible for centuries, and his commentaries, like those on Isaiah and Matthew, remain influential. A legend recounts a lion befriending him after he removed a thorn from its paw, symbolizing his compassion. Jerome’s scholarly rigor and defense of orthodoxy, despite his fiery temper, shaped Western Christianity, particularly through his advocacy for monasticism and women’s learning, mentoring figures like Saint Paula.[3][4]
Biography
Birth
Saint Jerome was born between 342 and 347 in Stridon, Dalmatia (possibly modern Croatia or Slovenia), to Eusebius and an unnamed Christian mother. His family was moderately wealthy, enabling his education in Rome.[1][5]
Early Life
At 12, Jerome studied grammar, rhetoric, and philosophy in Rome under Aelius Donatus, mastering Latin and Greek. Baptized around 366 at 19, he embraced Christianity fully. After travels in Trier and Aquileia, he lived as an ascetic in the Chalcis desert (375–377), learning Hebrew from a Jewish convert and battling temptations, famously dreaming of being whipped by God for preferring Cicero to Scripture.[2][6]
Occupation
Jerome was a priest, monk, and theologian. Ordained in Antioch around 379, he avoided pastoral duties, focusing on scholarship. As secretary to Pope Damasus I (382–385), he revised Latin Gospel translations, beginning the *Vulgate*. In Bethlehem from 386, he led a monastery, translated the Old and New Testaments, and wrote commentaries and letters. He taught Hebrew and Scripture to women like Paula and Eustochium, fostering their ascetic communities.[1][3]
Vocation
Jerome’s vocation was biblical scholarship and asceticism. His *Vulgate* translated Hebrew and Greek texts into Latin, standardizing Scripture for the Western Church. His commentaries, like those on Galatians and Daniel, blended exegesis with polemic against heresies like Pelagianism. His letters, such as *Letter 22* to Eustochium, promoted virginity and monastic life. A defender of orthodoxy, he sparred with rivals like Rufinus over Origenism. The lion legend, though apocryphal, reflects his reputed kindness.[4][7]
Death
Jerome died on September 30, 420, in Bethlehem, Judea, of natural causes, likely a fever, aged around 73–78. Buried under the Church of the Nativity, his relics were moved to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Rome, in the Middle Ages, with fragments in other sites like Santa Maria in Trastevere.[1][5]
Significant events
- Baptized in Rome, c. 366.
- Lived as ascetic in Chalcis, 375–377.
- Ordained priest in Antioch, c. 379.
- Served as secretary to Pope Damasus I, 382–385.
- Settled in Bethlehem, established monastery, 386.
- Completed *Vulgate* translation, c. 405.
- Died in Bethlehem, September 30, 420.
- Declared Doctor of the Church, 1298.[1][2]
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Stridon, Dalmatia, Roman Empire
Death location: Bethlehem, Judea
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
Jerome’s recognition as a Servant of God began post-mortem, with his writings and translations fostering veneration in Rome and Bethlehem by the 5th century.[2]
Venerable
No formal Venerable declaration was recorded, as his sainthood predates modern processes. His cult grew through the *Vulgate*’s adoption.[1]
Beatification
No distinct beatification occurred, as his scholarly contributions and ascetic life ensured early veneration.[4]
Canonization
Jerome was canonized pre-Congregation, with no recorded date or canonizer. Declared a Doctor of the Church in 1298 by Pope Boniface VIII, his feast is September 30 in the Roman Catholic Church, June 15 in the Eastern Orthodox Church.[1][3]
Miracles
No specific miracles were required for canonization, as his theological contributions sufficed. The lion story, while symbolic, is not historically verified.[6]
Miracle for beatification
No miracle was formally documented, as his veneration predates modern processes.[2]
Miracle for canonization
No miracle was required, per early Church norms for theologians.[4]
Other notable miracles
- Alleged divine vision in Chalcis, c. 375, redirecting him from secular to sacred texts.
- Reported preservation of Bethlehem monastery during raids, c. 400s.[7]
Patronage
Saint Jerome is patron of translators, librarians, scholars, and archaeologists, reflecting his biblical translations and scholarly legacy.[8]
Feast day
His feast day is September 30 in the Roman Catholic Church, June 15 in the Eastern Orthodox Church, commemorating his death.[1][7]
Veneration
Jerome is venerated across Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran traditions. Pilgrimages to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Rome, honor his relics, with secondary sites in Bethlehem’s Church of Saint Catherine. His image, often with a lion, skull, or books, adorns churches like Saint Jerome’s in Washington, D.C. Feast day liturgies celebrate his *Vulgate* and asceticism, with readings from his letters or commentaries. His influence persists in biblical studies and monastic spirituality, particularly through his mentorship of women like Paula.[4][9]
Books
Written about the saint
- Lives of the Saints, Vol. VI by Alban Butler[2]
- Jerome: His Life, Writings, and Controversies by J.N.D. Kelly[1]
- Saint Jerome and the Church by Stefan Rebenich[1]
Written by the saint
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 "Jerome". Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerome.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "St. Jerome". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08341a.htm.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Saint Jerome". Franciscan Media. 2024-09-30. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-jerome.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Saint Jerome". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-jerome/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "St. Jerome". Catholic News Agency. 2024-09-30. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-jerome-645.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "St. Jerome, Doctor of the Church". Eternal Word Television Network. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints/jerome-1217.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "St. Jerome". Vatican News. 2024-09-30. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/09/30/st--jerome.html.
- ↑ "Saint Jerome". Saint of the Day. 2022-11-30. https://saintoftheday.com/st-jerome.
- ↑ "St. Jerome Catholic Church". St. Jerome Catholic Church. https://www.stjerome.org.