SAINT JEROME

Saint Jerome is the patron of Librarians, Scholars, Students and Abandoned children. Meanings, definition and origins - a patron is considered to be a defender of a specific group of people or of a nation. There is a patron for virtually every cause, profession or special interest. Prayers are considered more likely to be answered by asking a patron for intercession on their behalf.

The Story and History of Saint Jerome:

The story and history of Saint Jerome. Saint Jerome was born Eusebius Hieronymous Sophronius in 347 at Strido, Dalmatia (on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea). He came from a wealthy, Christian family and his father sent Jerome to Rome to study and where he became a proficient translator of Greek into Latin. His life in Rome, as  a young man leaving the confines of family life to the relative freedom he experienced in Rome, led to Jerome leading a fast life. After several years of study he left Rome on his travels abroad to Asia Minor. He eventually arrived in Antioch. Antioch was an important, ancient city located on the site of the modern city of Antakya, Turkey. In 365 he was fully converted to Christianity and baptised in the faith. At this time he began his study of theology and the Hebrew language. Saint Jerome then lived for many years as a hermit in the Syrian desert where he continued his studies. He returned to Rome in 382 where he remained for three years attracting wealthy noble female students including Marcella and Paula and their daughters Blaesilla and Eustochium. He returned to the east where died on 30th September 420 and was buried under the church of the Nativity at Bethlehem.

Death of Saint Jerome:

 
There are two categories of saints: martyrs and confessors. A Christian martyr is regarded as one who is put to death for his Christian faith or convictions. Confessors are people who died natural deaths. Date of Death: Saint Jerome died in A.D. 420. Cause of Death: Natural causes. 

Why is Saint Jerome the patron of Librarians, Scholars and Students?:

Why is Saint Jerome is the patron of Librarians, Scholars and Students? He is the patron of scholars and students, more particularly of theology, on account of his writings, notably his translation of the Scriptures, known as the Latin Vulgate.

How Saint Jerome is represented in Christian Art
:

It is helpful to be able to recognise Saint Jerome in paintings, stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts, architecture and other forms of Christian art. The artistic representations reflect the life or death of saints, or an aspect of life with which the person is most closely associated. Saint Jerome is represented in Christian Art is erroneously represented in Christian Art in cardinal's robes, for cardinals were not instituted until three centuries after his death. This is done, however, to invest him with becoming dignity as one of the great fathers of the Church. His attributes are a miniature church held in his hand, and an open book. Sometimes he is accompanied by a lion, in allusion to his life in the wilderness.

Feast Day of Saint Jerome:

The Feast Day of Saint Jerome is September 30th. The origin of Feast Days: most saints have specially designated feast days and are associated with a specific day of the year and these are referred to as the saint's feast day. The feast days first arose from the very early Christian custom of the annual commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths at the same time celebrating their birth into heaven.

Through your anger and confrontations you remind us that we all have a duty to confront others from time to time. You also remind us that we have a duty to examine ourselves and confront our own weaknesses and harmful behaviours. Your life teaches that I must accept others for who they are. You taught of the danger of self-righteousness; of the importance of reflecting upon one of Jesus' most insightful teachings: "Let the man who has no sin on his conscience throw the first stone." In the light of your teachings, Saint Jerome, help me to see my own self clearly. Help me to confront my own biases and to act to change others only out of love. If I see that I have the duty to confront another, I ask you to be with me during those necessary but unpleasant moments of confrontation. Help me to remember that love alone can make changes for the good. Amen.