ST. JEROME, PATRON OF LIBRARIES AND LIBRARIANS

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Jerome (also called Hieronymous) was born about 341 in Dalmatia.  He was an accomplished Greek and Latin scholar when he was baptized at the age of 18 and became a monk in Aquiela. 

An ambitious and hard worker, St. Jerome began building a library that became one of the most famous in the world, copying most of the books himself.  He continued this practice while living as a hermit, learning several languages in order to translate the works. 

After a quarrel, he left for Palestine.  En route in 374, two of his friends died at Antioch, and Jerome fell seriously ill.  In his fever he had a vision that God condemned him for being a Ciceronian rather than a Christian.  Consequently, he became a desert hermit in Syria for five years, gave up classical literature and studied Hebrew so he could read scripture in its original language. 

He was ordained a priest at Antioch, although he apparently had no wish for orders and never said mass.  He studied further in Constantinople under Gregory of Nazanius and began religious writing in earnest. 

Upon his return to Rome, he became a secretary to Pope Damasus, and under his direction completed translating the New Testament and the Psalter into Latin.  Jerome was only 40 years old at the time.  He then continued with the Old Testament, having the assistance of several learned companions.  This eventually became the Latin Vulgate version which had a profound effect on western Christianity and is still used. 

After the death of his protector Pope Damasus in 385, Jerome left Rome and eventually settled in Jerusalem with a small community he had formed.  He continued his studying, teaching, and writing until his death in 420.  He died in Bethlehem in the Church of the Nativity and was buried there.  His body was later moved to the basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.  His feast day is Sept. 30. 

Jerome fought for three main causes: 

The provision of as accurate a Bible a text as possible through translation of the original texts and authoritative previous translations.

That the Bible should be explained by sound exegesis.

That monastic life should be based on a systematic lectio divina, a prayerful but serious study of Scripture, and the Fathers of the Church.

Jerome is considered one of the four Latin Doctors of the Church and was a brilliant and inspired writer and translator.  He struggled with his genius, though, and had a lack of humility in expressing it.  This, coupled with a penchant for aggressive sarcasm made him difficult to get along with.  As might be expected, it  inspired enemies, who more than once resorted to rumor and innuendo to get rid of him. 

Those of us involved with St. Paul's library have no pretense to such brilliance, but inspired by his example, we do our best to provide sound materials for spiritual growth and development at the level you find most congenial. 

Although it was something he personally struggled with before he went on to greater glory, we are sure that Jerome would approve of our efforts to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere in our library, where all can feel comfortable and respected.  What Jerome wanted -- and what we want -- is for you to be able to learn more about God through reading. 

Taken largely from The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, 2nd ed, 1987,  David Hugh Farmer