Saint Jerome, Priest, Writer,

Doctor of the Church

Patron of Lectors

Sacred Heart Church, Bahrain

St. Jerome

Church Father and translator. Born into a wealthy Christian family in Dalmatia, he was educated there and in Rome.

Baptized c.366, he spent most of the next 20 years in travel.  He lived two years as a hermit in the desert of Chalcis. From 377 to 379 Jerome was in Antioch, where he studied biblical works and translated the works of Origen and Eusebius. He lived in Rome 382-85, but theological controversy and opposition to his ascetic views led him to depart for the Holy Land, and he settled in Bethlehem, where he lived until his death. Traditionally regarded as the most learned of he Latin Fathers he wrote numerous biblical commentaries and theological tracts on Pelagianism and other heresies. In 406 he completed his translation of the Bible into Latin, incl. His own translation of the Old Testament from Hebrew; Jerome’s Latin Bible is known as the Vulgate.

LECTORS’ PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, we adore you and thank you, for the great privilege you have given us, to be with you. Lord we want to offer ourselves to you, to do your will as you have chosen us to read your word as Lectors of the Sacred Heart Parish.

Lord we humbly place ourselves before You to guide us to proclaim your word loud and clear, so that through us, your people can hear and understand you, and all that you have taught us and to live according to your precepts. Help us to be punctual and true to the commitment we make to you dear Jesus

We ask the Holy Spirit to come and fill the hearts of your dear faithful people and enkindle in us the fire of your love and wisdom. Open our lips and strengthen our tongues to announce thy praise.

Lord cleanse our hearts and minds to be worthy lectors in your ministry. Help us to live as true followers of your word, to be good Christians and worthy examples to our brothers and sisters in our homes and at work and above all to be faithful to our promise.

May Mary our Mother, be our teacher and protector throughout our lives. We make this prayer humbly to you our Father, through your Son Jesus our Lord and the Holy Spirit.

Amen.