In commemorating St. Jerome, (trivia: the esteemed patron saint of my father) we acknowledge his pivotal role in translating the Bible. A multilingual and highly intelligent scholar, St. Jerome’s significant accomplishment is marred by a well-known weakness—his notoriously bad temper.
This aspect of his personality, less than ideal for a priest intimately acquainted with the Word of God, found expression in his writings and interactions. Noteworthy are his exchanges with Augustine, where Augustine’s unwitting provocations necessitated considerable charitable tact to assuage Jerome’s easily wounded sensitivities.
St. Jerome’s writings could turn sarcastic and condemnatory, especially toward those who held differing views. Fortunately, in an era devoid of Facebook and social media, the potential havoc he might have wreaked with the immediacy of tweeting was spared.
In a memorable critique of Bishop John II of Jerusalem, St. Jerome remarked, “He has the eloquence of a parrot, the learning of an ass, and the modesty of a cat.” However, St. Jerome was acutely aware of his own shortcomings. Despite his sharp wit, he frequently sought and extended pardons for his sins, showcasing humility and recognition of his imperfections.
In a peculiar act of penance, St. Jerome would carry a stone and strike himself with it—a tangible expression of his acknowledgment of personal fallibility. Even Pope Sixtus V, passing a painting of St. Jerome holding a rock, humorously remarked, “You do well to carry that stone, for without it, the Church would never have canonized you.”
The complexity of St. Jerome’s persona serves as a reminder that even the most accomplished figures had their flaws. His dedication to the Scriptures, coupled with his humility and penitence, paints a nuanced picture of a man whose impact on the Church remains indelible.
As we celebrate the feast of St. Jerome, we recognize that the Church is indeed a community of imperfect individuals, bound by shared faith and often the same physical space. Through the gift of mercy, Jesus provided the sustaining force for this imperfect community that He called His own. St. Jerome, exceptional in his acknowledgment of imperfection, exemplified the transformative power of mercy. Happy Feast of St. Jerome!