Eustochium (c. 368–c. 419)
Eustochium (c. 368–c. 419)
Early Roman Christian leader and saint. Name variations: St. Julia Eustochium. Born c. 368 in Rome, Roman Empire; died Sept 28, c. 419, in Bethlehem, Palestine; dau. of Toxotius (Roman senator, died c. 380) and St. Paula (347–404); studied under St. Jerome.
Early Christian, sought spiritual guidance with mother Paula from St. Jerome, newly arrived from Palestine (382); counseled to become an ascetic, took vow of virginity in Jerome's celebrated letter De custodia virginitatie (384) and followed advice despite objections of her uncle Hymettius and aunt Praetextata; followed Jerome to Palestine with mother and then to Egypt (386), visiting hermits of Nitrian Desert in order to study and imitate way of life; returned to settle permanently in Bethlehem; built 3 nunneries, 1 monastery and 1 hospice near place of Christ's birth; directed nuns with mother, and placed monastery under direction of St. Jerome; fluent in Latin and Greek and able to read Hebrew, assisted St. Jerome in translations and scholarship, influencing many of his writings; on death of mother (404), took over direction of all 3 nunneries; came under attack by mob which pillaged 4 monasteries, killing and mistreating some inmates, probably under instructions from patriarch of Bethlehem; suffered ill-health as result of attacks and died soon after; was succeeded by niece Paula. Feast day is Sept 28.