St. Jerome was a priest, writer and teacher.  He was born in Dalmatia, Croatia in 340 AD.  After completing his studies in languages and law, St. Jerome reflected deeply on the purpose of his life.  He looked for a more meaningful way in which he could serve God and others.  St. Jerome entered a seminary where he studied and became a priest.  Under Pope St. Damasus’ direction, St. Jerome was asked to translate the New Testament into the modern Latin spoken by the people of that time.  The original books in the Bible were written in three languages: Hebrew, Greek and Latin.  St. Jerome undertook to not only translate the New Testament but the Old Testament as well.  This incredible task took St. Jerome thirty years to complete!  St. Jerome was the first scholar in his time to translate the Bible into one standard language easily understood by all.

St. Jerome frequently read the Gospels which helped him to grow in wisdom.  Since his fame for being a learned, wise and eloquent speaker spread throughout the countryside, many people sought St. Jerome for advice.  He wrote beautiful letters telling people about Jesus and His plans for His people.  These letters helped others understand the meaning of their life and how to attain inner peace and happiness.  St. Jerome also wrote books on the Bible which provided Christians with a deeper understanding of God’s word.

St. Jerome went to Bethlehem and joined a monastery.  This special community consisted of Christian men living together: praying, working, teaching others about God’s love and helping the poor and the needy.  St. Jerome helped to open a school in which he taught the local children of Bethlehem the Greek and Latin languages.  He never got tired of teaching God’s word and was always ready to defend right from wrong.  During the later years of his life, he prayed and continued his studies and writings on the Bible in a cave.  St. Jerome died in Bethlehem in the year 420 AD.

St. Jerome is one of the greatest biblical scholars of all time.  He is called the Father and Doctor of the Church and the “Man of the Bible”.  One of his most famous sayings was: “Now we have to translate the words of Scripture into deeds: instead of talking of holy things we must enact them.”  Since St. Jerome spent a lot of time studying languages and books like the Bible, St. Jerome is known as the protector of scholars (students) and of librarians.

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