Gerolamo Emiliani

Gerolamo Emiliani , was an Italian humanitarian, founder of the Somaschi Fathers, and saint. He was canonized in 1767 and is the patron saint of orphans.

Jerome was born in Venice, the son of Angelo Emiliani and Eleonore Mauroceni. His father died when he was a teenager and Jerome ran away at the age ofto join the army. In 1508, he participated in the defense of Castelnuovo against the League of Cambray. He was appointed governor of a fortress in the mountains of Treviso, and while defending his post was taken prisoner. His escape he attributed to the intercession of the Mother of God and he made a pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Treviso, in fulfillment of a vow, and left his chains as an offering. He was then appointed podest of Castelnuovo, but after a short time returned to Venice to supervise the education of his nephews. All his spare time was devoted to the study of theology and to works of charity. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1518.

Source: Wikipedia