St. Jerome Emiliani ' Father of the Orphans & Needy Youth"

San Geronimo Emiliani was born in Venice, Italy in 1486. At a very young age he took up a military and political career in the “Serenissima” Republic of Venice.

At the Age of 25 he was assigned by the senate to defend the castle of Quero. Eventually, this castle was captured by enemy German Troops in 1511 and Jerome was held captive in the castle tower.
His imprisonment lasted for a month. During this time Jerome reflected on his past life. His dreams of glory were shattered and he felt that death was close. Feeling totally abandoned, he turned to the Blessed Virgin Mary, venerated by the title of Great Madonna at the shrine of Treviso. With a humble heart he promised he would change his life if he were spared.

The Virgin Mary heard his prayers. A woman clothed in white appeared to him and gave him the keys to unlock his chains and the doors of the prison.

Upon his return to Venice, Jerome began his profound spiritual transformation through prayer, mortification, charitable deeds, and listening to the words of God. He often repeated this prayer before the crucifix: “Help me, O Lord, and I will be yours!”

Jerome gave up his riches for the poor. By day he cured the sick, by night he buried the dead. He redeemed prostitutes, and was the first to teach catechism by means of question and answer.

He sheltered orphans and the abandoned children. He gave them an upbringing method that is valid until today.
He carried out his apostolic ministry in many towns of Northern Italy such as Venice, Brescia, Bersaglio, Bergamo, Milan, Como, Pavia and many others.
In a small village of Somasca, like-minded friends who wished to devote their lives in the service of the poor and needy youth joined Jerome. So Jerome founded the “Company of the Servants of the Poor”, which later on became the congregation of the Somascan Fathers.

San Geronimo Emiliani Died on the 8th of February 1573. His final words were: “Jesus! Mary!
In 1767, Pope Clement XII proclaimed Jerome of Saint, and in 1928, Pope Pius XI presented him to the whole church as Patron of Orphans and Needy Youth.

The extraordinary example of St. Jerome, a lay man and a leader of lay men, is still an inspiration to all Christians today. As Pope John Paul II wrote: “Jerome helps them to understand the word of Christ more deeply, who identified himself with the least of his brothers, and to courageously aid those who are in need, especially the neglected and disadvantaged youth.