Devotees of Saint Jerome (San Geronimo) from different parts of the country will celebrate his feast day on Saturday, Sept. 30.
Known as the greatest translator of the Holy Bible and the patron saint of theological learning, translators, and librarians, fiesta masses will be celebrated at 6 a.m., 9 a.m. (concelebrated), and at 6 p.m. at the St. Jerome Parish Church (Morong Church) in Morong, Rizal.
A solemn procession will follow the 6 p.m. holy mass. Novena masses were offered from Sept. 21 to 29.
Holy masses in his honor will also be offered in parishes placed under his patronage in Duenas, Iloilo; Tapaz, Capiz; and Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija.
In ancient Latin Christianity, St. Jerome was considered as the second most voluminous writer, next to St. Augustine.
Considered as the most learned of the Fathers of the Western Church, he was a brilliant scholar, bishop, and confessor.
A protégé of Pope Damasus I, St. Jerome is recognized as a saint and Doctor of the Church by the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Lutheran Church, and the Anglican Communion.
The “Vulgata,” a translation of the Holy Scriptures from Greek and Hebrew into Latin, which took him 40 years to finish, is so far the only official translation of the Holy Bible used by the Roman Catholic Church.
Every year, particularly on his feast day, devotees visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, Italy where his sacred relics are kept.
