St. Jerome

From the Catholic Encyclopedia biography on Jerome... he was born about the year 340, and died at Bethlehem in 420. He went to Rome, probably about 360, where he was baptized. From Rome he went to Trier, famous for its schools, and there began his theological studies. Later he went to Aquileia, and towards 373 he set out on a journey to the East. He settled first in Antioch. From 374-379 Jerome led an ascetic life in the desert, southwest of Antioch. Ordained priest at Antioch, he went to Constantinople (380-81), where he befriended Gregory of Nazianzus. From 382 to 385 he made another sojourn in Rome. After Pope Damasus died in 384, Jerome was compelled to leave Rome, and by way of Antioch and Alexandria, he finally reached Bethlehem in 386. He settled there in a monastery near a convent founded by two Roman ladies, Paula and Eustochium, who had followed him to Palestine.

Readings

• Benedict audience on Jerome, part 1
• Benedict audience on Jerome, part 2