Gerolamo Emiliani [SEP] date of death
Gerolamo Emiliani
Gerolamo Emiliani ( also Jerome Aemilian, Hiëronymus Emiliani) (1486 – 8 February 1537), was an Italian humanitarian, founder of the Somaschi Fathers, and saint. He was canonized in 1767 and is the patron saint of orphans.
Biography.
Jerome was born in Venice, the son of Angelo Emiliani (popularly called Miani) and Eleonore Mauroceni. His father died when he was a teenager and Gerolamo ran away at the age of 15 to join the army. In 1508, he participated in
, and decided to build the adjacent church. The layout was that of a Greek Cross, and interrrupted in 1725 due to lack of funds. Only completed and the interior decorated after 1748. The main altarpiece, on a polychrome marble altar, depicts a "Madonna with Saints Demetrio and Bonifacio" by Nicola Maria Rossi. The lateral altars have canvases depicting a "Madonna and child with Saints Paul the Hermit, Leonard Abbot, and Gerolamo Emiliani" by Antonio Romeo, and a "Madonna and Child with St Gerolamo Emiliani