St. Jerome

Saint Jerome (347 – 419), born in Strido, Dalmatia (modern-day Croatia), is renowned for his significant contributions to Christianity, particularly through his translation of the Bible. He was a highly educated scholar who mastered Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, allowing him to work on the Latin Vulgate translation, which became the standard Latin Bible for the Western Church. Saint Jerome’s writings also include commentaries, letters, and theological treatises, all of which had a lasting impact on Christian theology and thought. He is often depicted with a lion, symbolizing his legendary story of removing a thorn from a lion’s paw, earning the animal’s loyalty. Saint Jerome’s feast day is celebrated on September 30th, and he is remembered as a Doctor of the Church and a pivotal figure in the history of biblical translation and Christian scholarship.