St. Jerome Emiliani
Patron Saint of Orphans and Abandoned Children
St. Jerome Emiliani was born in 1486 in Venice. He was orphaned at a young age. He joined the Venetian army, and during his time as a soldier, Jerome did not care about God. However, he was captured; he then attributed his escape from prison to the Blessed Mother. After escaping, he made a pilgrimage to an Italian Marian shrine to honor and thank Mother Mary. After his pilgrimage, he began to care for the sick and orphans. Later in his life he founded the Somaschi Fathers to care for orphans, the poor, and the sick. He was canonized in 1767, and to this day the Somaschi Fathers continue to serve orphans. St. Jerome Emiliani is the patron saint of orphans.