Jerome was a Christian priest, confessor, theologian and a historian. Before he was known as Saint Jerome, he was named Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus. He was born in 342 AD, in Stridon, Dalmatia, which is likely to be in modern day Croatia or Slovenia.

Saint Jerome is best known for his translation of the Bible into Latin (the translation that became known as the Vulgate) and his commentaries on the whole Bible.

Around the age of 12, Jerome travelled to Rome and by his own admission, he quickly forgot his morals and lived a life immersed in earthly pleasures. To alleviate the feelings of guilt, he would visit the crypts in Rome and imagine himself in hell. He did so every Sunday, even though he was not a Christian. Jerome had as a companion, Bonosus, who was a Christian influence. His influence is part of what persuaded him to become a Christian and change his ways for the better.

In the year 366, Jerome decided to become a Christian and was baptized by Pope Liberius.

In 370, Jerome had joined a monastery at Aquileia, which was overseen by Bishop St. Valerian. While in Aquileia, Jerome met Rufinus and the two men became friends.

In 374, Jerome reached Antioch, after making several lengthy stops along the way. While in that city, Jerome began writing his first work, "Concerning the Seven Beatings."

During that same year, a mysterious disease made him ill while taking the lives of some of his companions. During his illness, Jerome had visions which made him even more religious.

Jerome did not want to become a priest, preferring instead to be a monk or a hermit. But Church officials in Antioch as well as Pope Damasus wanted him to be ordained. Eventually, he relented on the condition that he would not be expected to serve in any ministry and would still be allowed to pursue his monastic life. He was subsequently ordained.

After Saint Gregory left Constantinople in 382, Jerome travelled to Rome for a council of the Church and met Pope Damasus. Following the council, Pope Damsus kept Jerome in Rome and made him his secretary. Jerome promoted the ideal of asceticism to everyone around him. Included in this group were women of the city of Rome who wanted to live saintly lives.

Of all the things that made Jerome famous, nothing was so legendary as his translation of the Bible. Jerome began the work while he was still in Rome under Pope Damasus. He spent his remaining life translating the scriptures from Hebrew and Old Latin.

Following the death of Pope Damasus in 384, Jerome decided to return to the Holy Land to escape the calumny in Rome.

Jerome was known for his teachings on Christian moral life, especially to those living in cosmopolitan centres such as Rome. In many cases, he focused his attention on the lives of women and identified how a woman devoted to Jesus should live her life.

Due to Jerome's work, he is recognized as a saint and Doctor of the Church by the Catholic Church, and as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Lutheran Church, and the Anglican Communion.

Jerome died on September 30, 420 and was laid to rest under the Church of the Nativity. His remains were later transferred to Rome.

Saint Jerome is the patron saint of archaeologists, Biblical scholars, librarians, students and translators.

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Gregory the Enlightner
2. Saint Honorius of Canterbury
3. Saint Laurus
4. Saint Leopardus
5. Saint Midan