St. Jerome was born in Dalmatia in 329. Even during his life he was renowned as a Doctor and Interpreter of Holy Scripture. He defended Catholic teaching against many heresies; his chief aim was to be a perfect monk and before he would consent to be raised to the priesthood he exacted a promise from Paulinus, Bishop of Antioch, that this new dignity should in no way interfere with his monastic vocation.

To him we owe the translation of the Holy Scriptures, the introduction of the alleluiatic chant into the Sunday Mass, the spread of monastic life among the aristocracy, and lastly the daily recital of the Divine Office. After important services to the Pope of his time, St. Jerome retired to Bethlehem, where he died September 30, 420. He is, perhaps, best known for compiling the first approved collection of Holy Scripture under one cover in 397 – the first Bible.

(Adapted from The New Roman Missal, Rev. F. X. Lasance)