It has been said that there is no one who has had greater influence on the way Catholics read Scripture than St. Jerome.

Born into a rich family around 347 in what is now Yugoslavia, he was educated in Rome, learning Latin and Greek and becoming a lawyer. Toward the end of his schooling, he converted and was baptized.

In 382 Jerome became secretary to Pope Damasus who commissioned him to translate the Hebrew text of the Bible. His translation of the Bible into the form of Latin most commonly read at the time (the Vulgate), was his greatest gift to the Church. Jerome’s desire was that the Word of God would be readily available to everyone in a language they understood. The Vulgate brought the Scriptures out of the churches and into everyday life; the Latin Vulgate is still the official Latin Bible of the Catholic Church.

In addition to the translation, he wrote on varied topics, including commentary on all the prophets and many books of the Bible, some history, and a few biographies. He also founded a school for boys and served as a spiritual guide for the monks and nuns who settled there to be near him. He gave shelter to refugees who came to the Holy Land following the sack of Rome by the Vandals in 410.

St. Jerome said (and lived), “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” As catechists, we have received and we pass on – not just a message, but a person: Jesus who lived among us and remains with us. Our sessions with our learners are vibrant and engaging when they flow from the Word of God, which call us to a life of wisdom and hope, compassion and forgiveness, reverence and awe, love and service.

Reflections to Hold, Pray, and Live

• How would you complete this sentence: “As a result of my time studying God’s Word, I will . . .”

• What methods do you use to help Scripture come alive for your learners (e.g. guided meditation; role playing; Lectio Divine; open-ended stories; rewrite passages, etc.)?

Author:

Sister Janet Schaeffler, OP
Member, NCCL Board of Directors

Her book, SAINTS & MENTORS for Catechists: 41 Models of Faith to Support and Guide You, can be purchased from Twenty-Third Publications
[GET YOUR COPY HERE]

Learn more about Janet and her publications at https://www.janetschaeffler.com/