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Article: January 26 + Saint Paula

January 26 + Saint Paula - VENXARA®

January 26 + Saint Paula

Paula was a member of one of the wealthiest senatorial families in Rome. In her mid teens, Paula was married to the nobleman Toxotius and they were regarded as an ideal married couple. They had four daughters, Blaesilla, Paulina, Eustochium, and Rufina, and a son, also named Toxotius.

Information about Paula's early life is recorded by Saint Jerome. Jerome was a priest, theologian, and historian and is best known for translating most of the scriptures from Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic into Latin (the translation that became known as the Vulgate).

In one of his many letters, Jerome states that Paula had led a luxurious life and held a great status. She dressed in silks and had been carried about the city by her slaves.

At the age of 32, Paula was widowed. She continued to dedicate herself to her family but became more interested in religion as time went on. Through the influence of Saint Marcella and her group, Paula became an enthusiastic member of this semi-monastic group of women. In 382, she met Saint Jerome and became his closest confidante and assistant, taking care of him and helping him in his biblical work and built numerous churches, monasteries and convents.

She is noted as maintaining her ascetic devotion through intensive studies of the Old and New Testaments, often under the guidance of Jerome. With this, she also practiced a strict fasting regimen, abstinence, and pursued a destitute lifestyle “to preserve a singular attachment to God.”

Jerome made explicit in his letters how Paula, through these practices, became a recognized figure in the Christian community. At one point, she was earnestly received by renowned monks from Egypt and once her death arrived on January 26, 404 AD, her funeral was noted as having a significant portion of the Palestine population arrive in her honor. A year after her passing, Paula obtained the title of Saint recognized by the Church.

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