St. Jerome

Date of Birth: c. 347 AD

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: 30 September 420 AD

Biography

Saint Jerome, born Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus, is one of the most influential and scholarly figures in Christian history. Born in Stridon, a town on the border of Dalmatia and Pannonia, Jerome is best known for his translation of most of the Bible into Latin (the Vulgate) and his extensive commentaries on the Gospels. He was a priest, confessor, theologian, and historian. Jerome spent much of his early life in Rome, where he was educated in grammar, rhetoric, and philosophy. He was baptized in 366 and soon after began his theological studies. He traveled extensively, spending time in Gaul, Antioch, and Constantinople, before settling in Bethlehem, where he lived in a monastic community and continued his scholarly work. Jerome’s writings were pivotal in shaping the theological and scholarly landscape of the early Church, and he was canonized as a saint by acclamation due to his significant contributions to Christianity.

5 Interesting Facts about St. Jerome

1. Jerome is the patron saint of translators, librarians, and encyclopedists.

2. He is often depicted in art with a lion, which, according to legend, he tamed by removing a thorn from its paw.

3. Jerome spent many years in the desert as a hermit, where he supposedly learned Hebrew.

4. His translation of the Bible into Latin, the Vulgate, became the Catholic Church’s officially promulgated Latin version of the Bible during the 16th century.

5. Jerome’s feast day is celebrated on September 30th, the anniversary of his death.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from St. Jerome

1. “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”

2. “Good, better, best. Never let it rest. ‘Til your good is better and your better is best.”

3. “The face is the mirror of the mind, and eyes without speaking confess the secrets of the heart.”

4. “Be at peace with your own soul, then heaven and earth will be at peace with you.”

5. “When we pray, we speak to God; but when we read, God speaks to us.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As a historical religious figure and scholar, Saint Jerome did not amass a personal fortune. His value lay in his intellectual and theological contributions rather than material wealth.