St. Jerome Emiliani
Feb 08
Patron Saint of Orphans and Abandoned Children
Jerome was born in Venice in 1481.
As a military commander who prided himself on the strength of his army, he was not a man of God. Yet when he was taken prisoner and thrown in a dungeon, the proud leader turned to God and miraculously escaped his captors.
After his conversion, Jerome dedicated himself to Our Lady and the work of God, and was eventually ordained to the priesthood in 1518.