Jerome Emiliani (Gerolamo Emiliani) was born in Venice, Italy, in 1481. He grew to become a soldier and ultimately was made a commander of a fortress in Treviso. When this fortress fell to the Venetians, he was captured and imprisoned. It was throughout this time spent in a darkish, damp cell that Jerome had time to mirror upon his life. He had by no means given a lot thought to God and had all the time felt very a lot in command of his personal life. He realized, nonetheless, that stripped of his military and weapons he was helpless. He referred to as out to God in his weak point and God responded. Abruptly Jerome’s thoughts and coronary heart have been freed. His life had modified. Jerome was capable of escape the dungeon during which he was being held captive and returned to Venice the place he was ordained a priest in 1518. He started caring for and ministering to many famine and plague victims, and shortly got here to focus his consideration on the various kids who had been orphaned by these epidemics. Utilizing his personal cash to lease a home for the orphans, he started feeding, clothes and educating them. He helped them be taught their religion by the strategy of query and reply. He later based orphanages at Brescia, Bergamo, and Como, in addition to a hospital at Verona and a house for repentant prostitutes. Within the 12 months 1532, Jerome, together with two different monks, based a congregation often known as the Clerks Common of Somascha. Jerome’s fixed devotion to the poor and sick took its toil on his well being, and in 1537, whereas serving to others, he fell unwell and died on the age of 56.

Classes

Jerome devoted his life to serving to others, particularly kids, and due to this fact is named the patron saint of deserted kids and orphans.

Prayer

Saint Jerome Emiliani, please pray that we’re good guardians of our kids who’re presents from God. Assist us to like them and defend them from the evils of this current age and to nourish them of their religion as you probably did. Amen.

Different Saints We Bear in mind Right this moment

• St. Josephine Bakhita (1947), Virgin, Spiritual
• St. John of Matha (1213), Priest, Founding father of the Trinitarians