Saint Jerome - by BAROCCI, Federico Fiori - from Galleria Borghese, Rome.
Saint Jerome - by BAROCCI, Federico Fiori - from Galleria Borghese, Rome.
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In this Painting, Saint Jerome (Doctor-of the Latin Church, and Father-of Biblical Science ) is depicted Translating/Writing the Latin-Vulgate Catholic Bible, in the Holy Solitude-of the Stable/Grotto-of-Bethlehem. He is Beating his Chest in-Penitential Prayer, in-front of a Crucifix, in Contemplation-with Jesus Christ the Supernatural Source of all Knowledge, Grace and Love. The Candlelight is a Symbolic Visualization-of the "Lux Intellecti", a Metaphor-for Divine Grace, discussed by Saint Augustine. Recent Restoration has revealed a Lion, Lurking-in the Background. The Lion is Symbolic-of Satan, who Unsuccessfully Attempts to-cause Saint Jerome to-Err, in his Writings. |
When we Pray, we speak-to God;
but when we Read, God speaks-to us.
In Prayer, God hears our Petitions,
but in Reading, we listen-to His Voice.
Spiritual Reading and Prayer are the Arms by which
Hell is Conquered, and Paradise Won.
"All my sermons are prepared in the presence of the
Blessed
Sacrament. As recreation is the most pleasant and profitable in the
sun, so homiletic creativity is best nourished
before the Eucharist. The most brilliant ideas
come from meeting God face-to-face. 
