Who was St. Jerome?
September 30th is the Feast Day of St. Jerome. St. Jerome was a scholar and priest who lived during the fourth century, and is well-known for his contributions to biblical studies and his translation of the Bible into Latin.
While he was in Rome, he studied Greek, Latin, history, theology and philosophy; resulting in him building his own library with copies of the books and texts which he read. St. Jerome dedicated his life to studying and preserving the Sacred Scriptures. By 382, after his pilgrimage to the east, St. Jerome returned to Rome where he was acclaimed as secretary and librarian by Pope Damasus. During his stay there, he spent several years translating the Bible from its original languages into Latin, creating a version known as the Vulgate. This translation made the Bible more accessible to people and played a significant role in the spread of Christianity.
Upon the death of Pope Damasus, St. Jerome was banished from Rome due to his satirical writing directed to the Roman clergy, and eventually settled in Antioch. With him, several widows and virgins travelled with the sole purpose of being enlightened by God and seeking St. Jerome’s wisdom. Slowly, this led to the formation of new monasteries and convents.
St. Jerome’s love for learning and his commitment to the truth inspired many people. He believed that studying the Scriptures and deepening our understanding of God’s word would lead us closer to Him. He encouraged others to seek knowledge and to live virtuous lives. Throughout his life, Jerome wrote Scriptural commentaries, biographies, held conferences, taught the youth, translated most of the Old Testament into Hebrew and Greek, and even built several monasteries to continue his literary studies.
Beyond his scholarly pursuits, St. Jerome was known for his humility and simplicity. He lived a life of self-discipline and prayer, seeking to grow in holiness. St. Jerome’s writings and letters reflect his deep love for God and his desire to help others on their spiritual journeys, which is why he was later on accredited as a saint.
On his feast day, we honour St. Jerome’s contributions to biblical scholarship and his dedication to the Word of God. We can learn from his example of seeking knowledge, living with humility, and striving to draw closer to God through prayer and study. St. Jerome’s life teaches us the importance of valuing learning, living virtuously and embracing a personal relationship with God.