Born somewhere in modern-day Slovenia around 347, Jerome was initially schooled at home before his wealthy parents sent him to Rome for a good education when he was 12. There he learned Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, and studied philosophy, debate, and literature. Though he hadn’t yet converted in his heart, he was baptized around the age of 20. He continued to live a life of debauchery, but at the same time he began to study scripture. Eventually his heart was converted and he sought penance by living in the desert where he studied and wrote. He was ordained a priest, then was commissioned to clean up and revise the Latin text of the Bible, a task that took him 30 years. This became known as the Latin Vulgate, which is still in use today.
CHALLENGE
St. Jerome is known for having a fiery temper his entire life, and anyone who taught error was his enemy. Nicknamed “the great name caller”, he would carry a stone with him and hit himself with it whenever he lost his temper. Rather than hit yourself with a stone, call on Our Lady. Today, learn the Hail Mary in Latin in honor of St. Jerome, and learn to say it whenever you are about to lose your temper.
Ave Maria, gratia plena: Dominus tecum,
benedicta tu in mulieribus,
et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus,
nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.
