September 30 is especially important in Catholic history because it is the feast day of St. Jerome, one of the greatest Bible scholars in the history of the Church.
Across the centuries, this date has also seen the death of important saints, the dedication of a famous medieval cathedral, and major papal teachings about the Bible.
Also, a historic papal pilgrimage to Ireland, and the creation of new cardinals from around the world.
Here are 10 memorable and important events connected with Catholic Church history on September 30.
1. September 30, 420 – St. Jerome Dies in Bethlehem
On September 30, 420, St. Jerome died in Bethlehem, near the place where Jesus was born. Jerome had dedicated much of his life to studying and explaining the Bible.
He knew several languages, including Latin, Greek and Hebrew. He is especially famous for translating much of the Bible into Latin. This translation became known as the Vulgate and was used by the Catholic Church for many centuries.
Jerome also wrote many explanations of Scripture and letters about Christian life. Because of his great contribution to understanding the Bible, the Church later honoured him as a Doctor of the Church.
2. September 30, 653 – St. Honorius of Canterbury Dies
St. Honorius of Canterbury died on September 30, 653, according to the traditional historical date. Honorius was a Roman monk connected with the missionary work begun by St. Augustine of Canterbury in England.
He eventually became the Archbishop of Canterbury and helped strengthen the young English Church. During his leadership, he consecrated Ithamar of Rochester, remembered as the first native-born Anglo-Saxon bishop.
He also supported missionary work in other parts of England. Honorius lived during a time when Christianity was still becoming established among the Anglo-Saxon peoples. His feast is remembered on September 30.
3. September 30, 1258 – Salisbury Cathedral Is Solemnly Dedicated
On September 30, 1258, Salisbury Cathedral in England was solemnly dedicated. At that time, England was still part of the Catholic Church, centuries before the English Reformation.
The dedication was carried out by Boniface, Archbishop of Canterbury, during the time of Bishop Giles of Bridport. The cathedral had taken several decades to build and became one of the great examples of medieval Christian architecture in England.
Its famous tower and spire were added later. Salisbury Cathedral is especially known for its beautiful Gothic design. The dedication reminds us how medieval Catholics used architecture, art and worship to express their faith.
4. September 30, 1572 – St. Francis Borgia Dies in Rome
St. Francis Borgia died in Rome on September 30, 1572. He came from one of Spain’s most powerful families and once lived the life of a wealthy nobleman. He was the Duke of Gandía and served the royal court.
After the death of his wife, however, Francis chose a very different life. He entered the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, became a priest and eventually became the third Superior General of the order.
Under his leadership, Jesuit missionary and educational work continued to grow. His life is remembered as a remarkable story of a powerful nobleman leaving wealth and status to dedicate himself completely to God.
5. September 30, 1880 – Pope Leo XIII Promotes Saints Cyril and Methodius
On September 30, 1880, Pope Leo XIII issued an important document called Grande Munus. It honoured Saints Cyril and Methodius, the great missionaries who brought Christianity to many Slavic peoples.
They had preached the Gospel in a way ordinary people could understand and helped develop written forms of the Slavic language for Christian teaching and worship.
Pope Leo XIII ordered that their feast should be celebrated more widely in the Roman Catholic Church. He also prayed for greater Christian unity between Eastern and Western Christians.
The document helped Catholics rediscover the enormous contribution Cyril and Methodius made to Christianity and European culture.
6. September 30, 1897 – St. Thérèse of Lisieux dies at age 24
On September 30, 1897, St. Thérèse of Lisieux died in her Carmelite convent in Lisieux, France. She was only 24 years old and had suffered badly from tuberculosis.
Thérèse was not famous during most of her life. She lived quietly as a Carmelite nun and tried to serve God through small acts of love, sacrifice and trust.
After her death, her writings became widely known, especially her spiritual autobiography, Story of a Soul. Her simple way of following God became known as the “Little Way.” Pope John Paul II later declared her a Doctor of the Church in 1997.
7. September 30, 1943 – Pope Pius XII Issues a Major Teaching About Bible Study
On September 30, 1943, the Feast of St. Jerome, Pope Pius XII issued the encyclical Divino Afflante Spiritu. The document became very important for Catholic Bible studies.
The Pope encouraged Catholic scholars to study the original languages of the Bible, such as Hebrew and Greek, and to use careful historical and language research when explaining Scripture.
He also encouraged better Catholic translations of the Bible. The document helped give new energy to serious Catholic study of Scripture during the twentieth century.
Its publication on St. Jerome’s feast was especially meaningful because Jerome had devoted his life to translating and studying the Bible.
8. September 30, 1979 – Pope John Paul II Visits the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock
On September 30, 1979, Pope St. John Paul II visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock in Ireland. The visit took place during his historic first papal journey to Ireland.
That year also marked 100 years since the reported apparition at Knock in 1879. John Paul II celebrated Mass at the shrine and spoke about Ireland’s strong devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
He also met sick people and those who worked with pilgrims. On the same day, he travelled to Galway and met Irish young people. His pilgrimage to Knock remains one of the most remembered moments of his visit to Ireland.
9. September 30, 2019 – Pope Francis Establishes the Sunday of the Word of God
On September 30, 2019, Pope Francis issued the document Aperuit Illis and established the Sunday of the Word of God. He declared that the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time should be specially dedicated to celebrating, studying and spreading God’s Word.
Francis encouraged Catholics to read the Bible more often rather than seeing Scripture as something meant only for priests and scholars. He also encouraged churches to give special attention to the proclamation of Scripture during Mass.
The date was deliberately connected with St. Jerome, whose life had been dedicated to the Bible. The celebration is now observed each year throughout the Catholic Church.
10. September 30, 2023 – Pope Francis Creates 21 New Cardinals
On September 30, 2023, Pope Francis created 21 new cardinals during a ceremony in St. Peter’s Square. They came from many different countries and parts of the world.
Cardinals help the Pope in the leadership of the Catholic Church, and those below the required age can take part in a conclave to elect a new pope.
Francis told the new cardinals that the Church should be like a symphony, with different people and cultures working together in harmony. The group included Church leaders from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas and the Middle East, showing the worldwide nature of the Catholic Church.
Saint of the Day – St. Jerome
- September 30 is especially the Memorial of St. Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church.
- Jerome is one of the greatest Bible scholars in Catholic history. He spent years studying Scripture and learning the languages needed to understand it better.
- One saying strongly associated with him is: “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”
- Pope Francis repeated this famous teaching when he established the Sunday of the Word of God.
- Jerome’s life gives us a very simple lesson: If we want to know Jesus better, we should also learn to read, understand and love the Bible.
Also Remembered – St. Gregory the Illuminator
- September 30 is also associated in Catholic tradition with St. Gregory the Illuminator, one of the most important figures in Armenian Christianity.
- Gregory helped spread Christianity throughout Armenia. King Tiridates eventually accepted Christianity, and Armenia became famous as the first kingdom to adopt Christianity officially.
- For this reason, Gregory became known as the “Illuminator” or “Enlightener of Armenia.” Catholic sources list September 30 among the dates associated with his feast, especially in Eastern Catholic traditions.
What Can We Learn From September 30?
September 30 has a very strong connection with the Bible and spreading the Christian faith.
- St. Jerome dedicated his life to Scripture.
- St. Honorius helped Christianity become stronger in England.
- St. Francis Borgia left wealth and power to serve God.
- St. Thérèse showed that even small acts done with great love can lead to holiness.
- Pope Pius XII encouraged Catholics to study the Bible seriously.
And Pope Francis created the Sunday of the Word of God so that Scripture would become a greater part of everyday Catholic life. The message of September 30 is simple: read God’s Word, understand it, live it and share it with others.
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