Gerolamo Emiliani
Gerolamo Emiliani, CRS (1486 – 8 February 1537) was an Italian humanitarian, founder of the Somaschi Fathers, and is considered a saint by the Catholic Church.
Born in Venice, he spent some time in the military, and later served as a magistrate. Emiliani provided for the sick, the hungry, and orphans; and persuaded others to do likewise. Through his good offices a number of hospitals and orphanages were established in several northern Italian towns. He was canonized in 1767 and is the patron saint of orphans.
Patron saint of orphans and abandoned children
In the Martyrology
- February 8 Saint Jerome Emiliani, founder of the Clerics Regular of Somasca