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Saint Jerome, known as Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus, was born around 347 AD in Stridon, a town on the border of present-day Croatia and Slovenia. Jerome was raised in a Christian family and was well-educated, studying grammar, rhetoric, and philosophy in Rome. He showed a keen interest in classical literature and the Latin language, which later played a significant role in his work for the Church.

In Rome, Jerome led a hedonistic lifestyle, but a profound religious experience in his early twenties led to his conversion. Feeling called to a life of asceticism, he journeyed to the deserts of Syria around 375 AD to become a hermit. During this time, he focused on studying Hebrew under a Jewish convert to Christianity, mastering the language and deepening his scriptural knowledge.

Around 382 AD, Jerome returned to Rome, where he became the secretary to Pope Damasus I. During this period, he began revising the Latin translations of the Bible, which were often inconsistent and inaccurate. Jerome's scholarly approach and knowledge of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin made him the ideal candidate to undertake this monumental task. His translation of the Bible into Latin, known as the Vulgate, became the standard text for the Catholic Church for centuries.

Following the death of Pope Damasus in 384 AD, Jerome left Rome and eventually settled in Bethlehem. There, he established a monastic community, where he spent the rest of his life studying, writing, and translating biblical texts. He continued to refine the Vulgate and wrote numerous commentaries on various books of the Bible, contributing greatly to Christian scholarship. Jerome also engaged in theological debates, defending orthodox Christian beliefs against heresies of the time.

Saint Jerome died on September 30, 420 AD, in Bethlehem. He is recognized as one of the great Doctors of the Church, renowned for his dedication to biblical scholarship and his translations, which shaped Christian theology and doctrine. His feast day is celebrated on September 30, honoring his contributions to Christianity and the study of the Bible.

Saint Jerome's Vulgate remained the official Latin translation of the Bible in the Catholic Church until the modern era, influencing Christian thought, liturgy, and art. His legacy is that of a passionate scholar, devoted ascetic, and defender of Christian orthodoxy, making him a key figure in the history of the early Church.

For more on the university which bears his name, click the portrait of St. Jerome.