Catholic Saints

It is not known when St. Pammachius was born, but he was a Roman Senator, and a friend of St. Jerome.  It is also known, that he married St. Paula’s daughter Paulina in 385.  Paulina died in 397, and St. Pammachius devoted the rest of his life to study and charitable works.  He became a monk, giving himself up to the works of charity.  He was asked by St. Jerome to translate several documents, and in gratitude St. Jerome had written several letters to him, that are still preserved today.   

With some help, he built a Hospice at Porto, for the poor and sick pilgrims coming to Rome and had a church in his house.  He was known for his piety and as a holy man.  The site has been excavated, and the excavations have disclosed the plan and the arrangement of this only building of its kind.  Rooms and halls for the sick and poor were grouped around it.  The Passionists’ Saints Peter and Paul Church now occupy this site.  

He often tried unsuccessfully to tone down the controversial treatises of St. Jerome, whom had a huge controversy with St. Rufinus at that time.  He even received a letter of thanks from St. Augustine, for his efforts.  It is known that he frequented the schools of his area, with St. Jerome.  St. Pammachius founded the Church of Santi Giovanni e Paolo in Rome.  It is also known that St. Pammachius died in Rome in 409, and the liturgical feast is celebrated on August 30^th.  

Practical Take Away

While not a lot is known about St. Pammachius, it is clear that he became a monk after loosing his wife of 12 years.  Her passing strengthened his desire to serve the Church.  He was a friend to St. Jerome, and also knew St. Rufinus and St. Augustine.  The company that he kept – shows that he was a faith filled man, that spent his time in studying the word of God, and served the Church.  Without strong leaders and defenders of the faith in the early church, you and I wouldn’t have the Catholic Church and faith we have today.