Catholic saint biography
St. Jerome Emiliani
- Lived:
- Died 1537 — Venice; Somasca, Italy
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Biography
Jerome Emiliani was a Venetian soldier whose imprisonment led him to reconsider his life. After regaining his freedom he devoted himself to people in need, including orphans, sick people and those seeking to rebuild their lives. Companions joined the work, and the foundation associated with Somasca developed into the Somascan religious community.
The care of abandoned children and sick people remained central as the community took shape. During a plague outbreak Jerome personally assisted infected people and contracted the disease himself. He died at Somasca in 1537. The institution that grew from his companions carried forward a form of religious service rooted in the immediate needs of vulnerable people.
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What will you carry with you?
After reading about St. Jerome Emiliani, take a moment to consider:
- Which event or decision in this life stood out to you?
- What virtue would you like to understand or practice more deeply?
- What small action could you take today in response?
These are reflection prompts from Saint Discovery, not quotations from the saint.
Sources and further reading
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Individual Catholic institutional source review; original concise factual summary. AI-assisted comparison of the individual institutional biography, recognition notice, all 685 archived and canonical baseline identities, source identity keys and alternate names. Individually identified person; distinct from group observances and related people. Original English prose; no qualified human review or ecclesiastical approval is claimed.
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