St. Ambrose was a bishop who believed that the only way women could truly be happy and live good lives was if they devoted their lives to God, giving up all worldly interests. He said that married women with children have nothing but pain and trouble in life. Also, he felt strongly that wives must obey their husbands in everything, and never wear any kind of cosmetics, jewelry, or other “ornaments.”
St. Jerome was an early Biblical scholar who translated the Bible into Latin. Latin, which was the language of the Romans, became the official language of the Church. This Bible, called the Vulgate, was the official Roman Catholic Bible for centuries. A commonly told story about St. Jerome says that he lovingly removed a thorn from a lion’s foot, and the lion was forever grateful. Pictures of him often show a lion at his side.
St. Augustine was the author of The City of God, which was mentioned previously. He taught that the only things in life which really matter are two mystical cities - the city of God and the city of the devil. He said only God knows who belongs to which city, based on the purity of their hearts and lives. Augustine believed that the church’s job was to preach the gospel and that the government’s job was to keep peace so the church could do its job. He said the church is more important than the government, but that the two need to cooperate.
Is this how you pictured St. Jerome?
Why or why not?
Can you find the lion?
Find a different picture in the internet either of St. Jerome or anyone else that fits the image that comes to mind when you think of a priest from The Middle Ages.
Food For Thought
Which of these three scholars do you think would be most accepted today?
Why do you think the other two would not fit into today's society?
