Born in Venice in 1486, his father died when he was still a teenager and Jerome left to join the Army. 

This was during a period of war in Italy and Jerome was given charge of a group of soldiers who were ordered to guard a fortress known as Castle Nuovo. 

They were overrun, however, and Jerome was captured and placed in the castle’s dungeon. 

Up to this point, Jerome had not been particularly close to God, but out of desperation, he turned to prayer and especially sought the intercession of The Blessed Mother. 

Miraculously, Jerome escaped and immediately made a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Treviso, where he left the chains that had bound him, as an offering. 

He then returned to Venice where he taught his nephews while devoting all his spare time in preparation for the priesthood. 

Not long after he was ordained, plague attacked Northern Italy and, at his own expense, Jerome cared for the poor, sick, and dying. It was during this time he developed a strong desire to help orphaned and abandoned children. 

In addition to a hospital and shelter for women trying to escape prostitution, Jerome founded three orphanages. Then, in 1532, with the help of Fr. Alessandro Bessuzio and Fr. Augustino Bariso, he founded The Clerks Regular of Somasca, dedicated to taking care of orphans and teaching children. 

He died on this day in 1537 from a disease he contracted while caring for the sick. 

St. Jerome Emiliani, please pray for us.