Saint Jerome Saint Jerome was born around 345 in what is now northern Italy. As a young man, he traveled and studied in the great European cities of Rome and Trier. He then went to live in the desert. While there, he said that he had “no other company but scorpions and wild beasts.” He began to study Hebrew. He found the language difficult to learn, but his great effort was worth it. His knowledge of Hebrew made it possible for him to become a biblical scholar and translator.
A.D.
St. Jerome in his Study (oil on linen paper on panel), Jan van Eyck, (c.1390-1441).
In 382 Jerome began a huge task. He began to translate the entire Bible from the Hebrew and Greek texts into Latin. His endeavor took many decades and eventually produced a version of the Bible in the ordinary language of that time. Jerome’s Latin translation of the Bible became the standard for use in the Church.
Jerome traveled to many places while “We must translate the working on his translation. He lived in Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria, words of the Scriptures and Bethlehem. When war broke out into deeds; and instead of and many refugees came to Bethlehem, speaking saintly words, Jerome took action. He knew that we must act them.” translating the Bible was not the only important task, so he gave up his work and study for a time to help people in need. He said, “We must translate the words of the Scriptures into deeds; and instead of speaking saintly words, we must act them.” His feast day is September 30. 2
UNIT 1 • God, Our Creator and Father
i_3174_FG_SE_G6U1.indd
~ pg 2 ~
PDF Signoff: Production _______
LoyolaPress.
Design _______
Editorial _______
7/22/11 9:16 AM