A Legacy of Compassion Born from Struggle
Every great mission begins with a story of transformation. For The Emiliani Project, that story starts five centuries ago in northern Italy with Saint Jerome Emiliani, a soldier whose faith was born in the darkness of war.
As a young officer during the Venetian War, Jerome was captured in battle and imprisoned for years. In the silence of confinement, he turned to Our Blessed Mother for comfort. Through prayer and surrender, his hardened heart softened. When he later escaped captivity, he dedicated his freedom not to vengeance but to service.
Leaving behind his military life, Jerome became a priest and eventually founded The Somascan Fathers, a religious order committed to caring for orphans, the poor, and the sick. He built homes and schools for children left fatherless by the very wars he once fought and ultimately gave his own life after contracting illness from those he served.
Saint Jerome Emiliani’s journey from warrior to servant shows that God can turn even our deepest wounds into instruments of grace.
The Emiliani Project: Carrying His Mission Forward
Centuries later, Saint Jerome’s spirit of compassion lives on through The Emiliani Project, a faith-based nonprofit for children serving the vulnerable in Medellín, Colombia.
The organization takes its name from this humble saint, whose example continues to guide its work. Just as Jerome’s heart was transformed through hardship, the project’s founders, all U.S. veterans, share a story of redemption and renewed faith.
They, too, once served in foreign wars. They, too, faced seasons of doubt. Yet through those experiences, each rediscovered purpose in the call to help children who, like those of Jerome’s time, have suffered from conflict and poverty.
The Emiliani Project transforms the will to serve into a mission of mercy, turning battle scars into blessings for children in need.
Faith and Service: A Bridge Between Centuries
When Saint Jerome walked the streets of 16th-century Venice, he saw children left destitute by war.
Today, The Emiliani Project sees the same need in Colombia, children longing for stability, education, and love.
The connection between these eras is striking:
- Jerome built shelters and schools for orphans.
- The Emiliani Project helps build brighter futures through housing, mentorship, and community care.
- Both missions flow from faith, compassion, and a desire to restore dignity where it’s been lost.
Through prayer and action, The Emiliani Project continues Saint Jerome’s legacy, serving not just bodies but souls, reminding every child that they are seen, valued, and loved by God.
Faith in Action: Volunteer and Serve in Colombia
For those inspired by this story, there is a way to take part.
The Emiliani Project invites volunteers to join mission trips to Medellín, Colombia, where faith meets action in meaningful ways.
Participants can:
- Spend time with children in caring, faith-filled environments.
- Assist with construction and maintenance projects.
- Lead educational or recreational activities.
- Share prayer and fellowship with the community.
Each trip blends tangible service with spiritual renewal. Volunteers return home changed, grateful for the chance to help children in Colombia and experience the joy of self-giving love.
Explore upcoming mission trips and learn how you can volunteer in Colombia.
Living Saint Jerome’s Legacy Today
Every generation needs its saints, ordinary people who let God use their lives for extraordinary love.
For Saint Jerome Emiliani, that meant leaving the battlefield for the orphanage.
For The Emiliani Project, it means standing beside Colombia’s children and walking with them toward hope.
“Charity is the soul of faith, makes it alive; without love, faith dies.” — Saint Jerome Emiliani
Whether you give, volunteer, or pray, you become part of the same story, a story of faith, redemption, and love that bridges centuries and continents.
Learn more about The Emiliani Project’s mission and meet the team carrying this legacy forward.
