EUSEBIO of CREMONA, saint. — Priest and disciple of St. Jerome. Born of a distinguished family of Cremona around the middle of the 4th century, while still young he renounced the allurements of the world in order to consecrate himself entirely to God. Having gone to Rome to visit the tomb of the Apostles, he met St. Jerome and became bound to him by a bond of spiritual friendship.
From that moment E. found in Jerome the ideal master, who guided him with a sure hand along the paths of learning and piety. Indeed, he accompanied him to the East, following him on his various journeys through Egypt and Palestine in order to visit the most famous monasteries and the places sanctified by the life of the Savior. Finally, he withdrew with him to Bethlehem, to the monastery founded by the master, whose governance he assumed after his death. The holy Doctor dedicated to E. his commentaries on Jeremiah and on St. Matthew. A treatise on the mystery of the Cross was attributed to him; today, however, its authenticity is seriously doubted. He died before the middle of the 5th century. E. was honored as a saint in Cremona on 5 March and in Bethlehem on 19 October; nevertheless, his name is not included in the Roman Martyrology.