St. Jerome Emiliani, Founder of Somaschi Fathers, Patron of orphans and the Needy Yourth

St. Jerome Emiliani (1486-1537) was a Italian priest and the founder of the Somaschi Fathers, a religious order dedicated to the care of orphans and the poor. Born in Venice, he experienced a spiritual conversion after being imprisoned during a military campaign. This led him to devote his life to serving the needy, establishing homes and schools for orphans throughout northern Italy. He is venerated as the patron saint of orphans and abandoned children, as well as the youth in need.