Early Life and Education

Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus, known to history as St. Jerome, was born around 347 AD in Stridon, a town near the border of Dalmatia and Pannonia—likely in present-day Croatia or Slovenia. His parents were Christians of some means, enabling them to provide Jerome with a quality education.

At a young age, Jerome was sent to Rome, which, at the time, was the epicenter of learning in the Western world. There, he immersed himself in the classical studies of grammar, rhetoric, and philosophy under the tutelage of the famed grammarian Aelius Donatus. Jerome’s enthusiasm for language and literature would later define his scholarly pursuits and contributions to the Church.

Conversion and Spiritual Awakening

While Jerome had been raised within a Christian household, his spiritual commitment deepened during his years as a student. The decadent lifestyle of Rome left him spiritually unsatisfied. During his travels in Gaul and the Eastern Mediterranean, he began to practice a stricter asceticism. Around 366 AD, Jerome was baptized by Pope Liberius, marking a significant milestone in his Christian journey.

In pursuit of a holier life, Jerome traveled to the Syrian desert near Chalcis around 374 AD, where he lived as a hermit. There, he devoted himself to prayer, penance, and the study of Hebrew—a rarity for Western Christians of his era. Jerome’s linguistic pursuits were motivated by his desire to better understand the Scriptures in their original context.

Return to Rome and Ecclesiastical Career

Jerome’s reputation as a learned ascetic and biblical scholar grew, and upon returning to Rome in 382 AD, he was appointed secretary to Pope Damasus I. This position marked the beginning of one of his most enduring achievements: the translation of the Bible into Latin.

The Vulgate

Tasked by Pope Damasus I, Jerome began the monumental task of translating the Scriptures from Hebrew and Greek into Latin. His approach was scholarly and meticulous, consulting various texts and discussing theological nuances with leading Jewish scholars. Jerome’s translation work began with the four Gospels and gradually extended to the entire Old and New Testaments.

The result, known as the Vulgate, became the standard biblical text of Western Christianity for over a millennium. Jerome’s Vulgate not only made the Scriptures accessible to Latin-speaking Christians but also standardized biblical language, resolving inconsistencies present in earlier translations.

Controversies and Theological Writings

Jerome’s sharp intellect was matched by his fiery temperament. He was never shy of controversy, often engaging in theological disputes with fellow Church leaders and scholars. His epistolary output was immense, with over 150 letters surviving, many addressing doctrinal controversies.

Among his major theological works are:

Commentaries on the Prophets

Dialogue Against the Luciferians

Against Jovinianus

The Perpetual Virginity of Blessed Mary

His writings exhibit a profound command of Scripture, a deep sense of historical and linguistic context, and an unwavering devotion to orthodoxy.

Later Years in Bethlehem

Disenchanted with ecclesiastical politics in Rome, Jerome left the city following Pope Damasus’s death in 384 AD. He journeyed to the Holy Land, eventually settling in Bethlehem in 386 AD. There, he founded a monastery, a hospice, and a school, attracting a community of disciples and pilgrims.

Jerome spent his final years in Bethlehem, continuing his translation work, writing commentaries, and offering spiritual guidance. His cell near the Church of the Nativity became both his sanctuary and scholarly workshop.

Death and Legacy

St. Jerome died on September 30, 419 or 420 AD (sources vary), in Bethlehem. His remains were originally interred at Bethlehem but were later transferred to Rome, where they rest in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.Jerome’s legacy is profound. His Vulgate remained the Catholic Church’s official biblical text until the 20th century, influencing Christian theology, art, and literature. He is recognized as one of the four great Doctors of the Western Church, alongside St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, and St. Gregory the Great.

Saint Jerome Pray for us!