The key word of the charismatic experience of St. Jerome is: FATHERHOOD. Orphan at 10, after a difficult youth, he goes through a deep conversion experience. Having felt the seriousness of his sin, he discovers the merciful and paternal love of God before the Crucified. And it is God's fatherhood he will witness to through his love for the poor and orphans with whom he wants to "live and die."

Born inside the Catholic Reformation, Jerome's spiritual experience is focused on the concern to return the Church to the "status of sanctity" of the early Christian communities. Even the houses he organized to shelter the orphans had this very community model. His zeal for the Church's reformation was as such that he asked for it and made others ask for it in a prayer he himself composed.

Before dying, Jerome gives to his own a testament that is not only the synthesis of his spiritual experience, but also an itinerary of Christian life: Follow the way of the Crucified, despise the world, love one another, serve the poor. The life of love for the poor is born from a community of people who live the commandment of the reciprocal love, after having decided to have, as a goal, only God. The cross becomes the expression of this dedication and love, on the example of Jesus Christ.

"OUR PRAYER"

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our Father. Hail Mary. Creed. Hail Holy Queen.

Our dear Father, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Because of your infinite goodness we ask you to restore the Christian people to the sanctity of life as it was at the time of the Apostles. Hear us, O Lord, because you are kind and merciful.

In your compassion look upon us. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us (repeat three times).