St. Jerome Emiliani - Patron of Orphans and Abandoned Children - July 20th
Jerome was the son of a noble family of Venice, Italy. He was a good soldier and was put in command of a fortress high in the mountains. While defending this post, he was taken prisoner and thrown into a dungeon. Chained in that miserable prison, he began to regret the careless way he had been living. He was sorry that he had thought so little about God. Jerome promised the Blessed Mother that he would live a better life is she would help him. His prayers were answered and he escaped to safety.
With a grateful heart, he went straight to a church and hung up his chains in front of Mary’s alter. Later Jerome became a priest and devoted himself to works of charity. His special love was for the many homeless orphan children he found in the streets. He rented a house for them, gave them clothes and food, and taught them the catechism.
St. Jerome started a Congregation of men to take care of the poor, especially orphans, and to teach youth. He did all he could for the poor peasants, too. He would work with them in the fields and talk to them of God’s goodness while he worked.
The Pope named St. Jerome Emiliani the patron saint of orphans and homeless children.
Let us respect our companions and let us try to give them good example.
