|
Born to a rich pagan family, he
led a misspent youth. Studied in Rome. Lawyer. Converted in theory, and
baptized in 365, he began his study of theology, and had a true
conversion. Monk. Lived for years as a hermit in the Syrian deserts.
Reported to have drawn a thorn from a lion's paw; the animal stayed
loyally at his side for years. Priest. Student of Saint Gregory of
Nazianzen. Secretary to Pope Damasus who commissioned him to revise the
Latin text of the Bible. The result of his 30 years of work was the
Vulgate translation, which is still in use. Friend and teacher of Saint
Paula, Saint Marcella, and Saint Eustochium, an association that led to so
much gossip, Jerome left Rome to return to the desert solitude. Lived his
last 34 years in the Holy Land as a semi-recluse. Wrote translations of
Origen, histories, biographies, and much more. Doctor of the Church,
Father of the Church. Since his own time, he has been associated in the
popular mind with scrolls, writing, cataloging, translating, etc. This led
to those who work in such fields taking him as their patron - a man who
knew their lives and problems.
|
