Catholic Saints Podcast — St. Jerome

Host: Taylor Kemp
Guest: Dr. Ben Akers
Date: September 30, 2025
Source: Augustine Institute

Episode Overview

In this episode, Taylor Kemp and Dr. Ben Akers dive into the life, character, and enduring legacy of St. Jerome—the fiery early Church Father, Doctor of the Church, preeminent biblical scholar, and translator of the Latin Vulgate. Their engaging conversation explores his upbringing, famous conversion, translations, relationships, spiritual insights, and relevance for Catholics today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who Was St. Jerome?

• Dates & Background: Born between 342–347 on the Dalmatian coast (modern Croatia); died September 30, 420 in Bethlehem.
  • “He dies on September 30th, 420...in the Catholic tradition, we celebrate that as the dies natalis, the day of birth into eternal life.” — Dr. Ben Akers (01:19)
• Full Name & Etymology: Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus. “Jerome” comes from Hieronymus meaning "holy name." (01:54–02:02)
• Role: Early Church Father, Doctor of the Church, prolific writer (second only to Augustine). (00:58–01:33)

2. Education and Conversion

• Studied grammar and rhetoric in Rome (not initially Christian).
• Parallels with Augustine: both were highly educated in rhetoric. (02:17–02:19)
• Experienced a dramatic conversion around age 30.
  • “He’s dreaming one night and he’s brought before a tribunal...They say, ‘Who are you?’...He’s like, ‘Oh, I’m a Christian.’ And the voice says, ‘No, you’re a Ciceronian, a follower of Cicero’...He wakes up in a panic and realizes...I’m more a disciple of Cicero than I am of Jesus Christ.” — Dr. Ben Akers (03:07–03:57)
• Post-conversion: Abandoned classical literature, pledged to focus solely on Scripture. (04:09–04:10)

3. Life of Asceticism & Scholarship

• Lived as a hermit in the Syrian desert, embraced penance and study. (After 04:10)
• Learned Hebrew from a Jewish convert so he could read Scriptures in the original language; later translated into Greek. (04:10–05:04)

4. Commission by Pope Damasus: The Vulgate

• Returned to Rome in 382 as secretary and adviser to Pope Damasus, who requested a new Latin translation of Scripture for better accuracy and accessibility.
  • “Can you translate the Scriptures?...The Vulgate is just the Latin word for ‘common’...make it accessible.” — Dr. Ben Akers (05:47–06:29)
• Focused first on the Gospels, then the Psalms, leading to the “Vulgate.” (06:05–06:39)

5. Community, Patronage & Controversy

• Befriended noble women Paula and Marcella, who sought his spiritual guidance and joined his scriptural studies (unprecedented at the time).
  • “He said, ‘I’ll do better than that. I’ll teach you how to read Scripture like I read Scripture...learn the languages of Scripture. And you can help me translate.’” — Dr. Ben Akers (07:38–07:41)
• Women like Paula became both his patrons and collaborators, sparking jealousy among Roman clergy.
• Faced allegations and was driven from Rome; relocated to Bethlehem, founded monasteries for men and women, established pilgrims’ housing. (07:59–08:47)

6. Life in Bethlehem & Lasting Influence

• Taught Greek and Latin for free, fostered a scholarly Christian community. (08:47)
• Interacted with key saints (e.g., St. Augustine, St. Gregory Nazianzen).
• Wrote exegetical works, polemics against heresies, and over 100 letters offering moral and doctrinal advice. (09:25–10:26)

7. Temperament

• Known for his powerful, sometimes irascible personality.
  • “People often accuse Jerome of being crotchety...He was a passionate man.” — Dr. Ben Akers (11:08–11:15)
  • “He learned Hebrew to keep his chastity in check. It was such a hard language.” — Dr. Ben Akers (12:09–12:17)

Important Quotes & Memorable Moments

- “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” (12:46–13:41)

• St. Jerome’s most famous saying, repeated by Dr. Akers.
• "If we don't know the written Word of God, Scripture, we're not going to know the incarnate Word of God, Christ, as well as we could, as well as we should.” — Dr. Ben Akers (13:35)
• “Christ is hidden in the Old, revealed in the New.” (13:41)

- “Fall asleep with your head on the Word of God, and...start reading the Word of God [when you wake].” (14:38–14:52)

- Life Lessons

• “Whatever temperaments we've been given...letting that kind of ride...In God's providence, it was like that is what enabled him to do that...asking the question again, how can I serve Christ and the Church?” — Taylor Kemp (19:35–20:57)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Early Life and Education: 00:56–02:19
• St. Jerome’s Conversion Story: 03:07–03:57
• Move to Desert; Study of Hebrew: 04:10–05:04
• Working with Pope Damasus; Origin of the Vulgate: 05:04–06:39
• Friendship with Paula & Marcella; Roman Controversy: 06:47–08:18
• Monastic Foundations in Bethlehem: 08:18–08:47
• Jerome’s Circle of Saints and Major Works: 09:25–10:26
• Jerome’s Temperament and Channeling Passion: 11:08–12:17
• Patronages and Artistic Depictions: 12:46–18:37
• Key Takeaways and Spiritual Application: 18:57–20:57

St. Jerome in Spirituality & Art

• Patron: Biblical scholars, translators, librarians, archivists (12:46)
• Artistic Depictions: Bald, long-bearded, with books or skulls (memento mori), sometimes a lion symbolizing both nature and the famous legend of the lion with a thorn (16:33–18:22)
• Spiritual Exercises: Daily immersion in Scripture; continual conversion; embracing ascetic practice; channeling natural temperament toward sanctity (18:57–20:57)

Takeaways for Listeners

• Reflect on St. Jerome’s conversion: What are your own "Ciceros"—worldly joys or identities that compete with your Christian vocation? (18:57–19:33)
• The necessity of daily Scripture: “Scripture has to be part of the life of the Christian...daily scripture reading” (15:30)
• Christian friendships and learning: Seek out faithful guides and companions in faith, as Jerome did with Paula, Gregory Nazianzen, and Augustine (19:35–20:57)
• Use your temperament in God’s service: Jerome’s fiery nature, when sanctified, became a gift for the whole Church (19:35–20:57)
• Prayer: Invoke his intercession, especially for a love of Scripture and purity of heart (21:00)
  • “St. Jerome, pray for us.” (21:06)

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps & Attribution)

• On Sainthood as Friendship:
  “I have lots of saints that are my friends. I hope they count me as their friend.” — Dr. Ben Akers (00:34)
• On Holiness:
  “Holiness is the perfection of charity. That’s the definition given in the Second Vatican Council.” — Dr. Ben Akers (00:44)
• On Scripture:
  “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” — St. Jerome, via Dr. Ben Akers (13:41)
• On Temperament:
  “He was a passionate man...that passion is good; St. Jerome found the way in God’s providence for his passion to be at the service of the Church and to build up the Church.” — Taylor Kemp (11:15–11:39)
• On Daily Practice:
  “Fall asleep with your head on the Word of God. And then when you wake up, start reading the Word of God.” — Dr. Ben Akers (14:38–14:52)

Conclusion

St. Jerome stands as a model of passionate faith, transformative scholarship, and uncompromising commitment to the Word of God. His journey—from worldly scholar to desert ascetic, from fiery polemicist to gentle spiritual guide—continues to inspire all who seek wisdom and holiness.

St. Jerome, pray for us! (21:06)