Paula
Paula ST. ( Α῾γία Παῦλα), was a noble Roman matron, a pupil and disciple of Jerome. Though descended from the Scipios and the Gracchi, and accustomed to luxurious self-indulgence, she preferred to follow her saintly teacher to Bethlehem and devote herself to a religious life. The church dedicated to St. Jerome at Rome is said to be upon the spot where the house of Paula stood, in which she entertained that holy man during his stay in Rome, A.D. 382. She studied Hebrew, in order to understand the Scriptures better. She built a monastery, hospital, and three nunneries at Bethlehem. Her daughter St. Eustochia was with her. The rule for these convents was very strict, and her own austerities were so severe that she was reprimanded for them by St. Jerome. Her granddaughter Paula was sent to her at Bethlehem to be educated, and succeeded her as superior of the monastery. Paula died (A.D. 404) making the sign of the cross on her lips, and was buried in the church of the Holy Manger, where her empty tomb is now seen near that of St. Jerome. Her relics are said to be at Sens. She is commemorated Jan. 26.
