US Army Col Phil Deppert, commandant of the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA, recently selected St Jerome as the patron saint for military linguists:

The tradition of patron saints as guardians over areas of life, to include occupations, dates back to as early as the fourth century. Linguists now join with other military career fields who have followed in this tradition. St. Michael, paratroopers, and St. Barbara, field artillery, are examples of military occupations that have previously inducted a patron saint.

In an indicator of the times, the DLI Chaplain (Maj) Chan-young Ham said they went out of their way to say they weren’t trying to endorse Christianity: 

The next step was to ensure that the Institute did not appear to be promoting a religious affiliation. Although it has a Christian historical background, there are no hidden motives of endorsing the Christian faith.

“Instead, we are creating a tradition like other branches where we hold our standards to the highest values and commitment as linguists,” said Ham. “St. Jerome loved languages. He was a proficient linguist, an open minded scholar and translator.”

Fair enough, though it isn’t even a universally Christian concept.

For the non-liturgical backgrounds, the idea of a “patron saint” is a bit odd. Still, it’s nothing more than a ceremonial “position,” as it were, so have at it.

ADVERTISEMENT