GIROLAMO (Terzo) of Jesus Mary, Venerable. – Carmelite, born in Noto (Sicily) on 17 May 1683, died on 11 April 1758.
From 1707 he lived as a hermit near Noto in a narrow cave, leading a life of prayer, contemplation, and penance. In 1710 he became superior of the other hermits of Santa Maria della Scala, introducing such strict observance that the Scala hermitage soon became an example and norm for all others, which were reformed by him. In 1741, together with the other hermits, he ceded the Scala convent to the Carmelites of the Ancient Observance and, with the help of Fr. Statella, introduced the reform of that Order; on 6 October 1741 he himself took the Carmelite habit as a lay brother, taking the name Fra’ G. of Jesus Mary and Joseph, and with him all the other hermits of the Scala. Endowed by God with supernatural gifts, especially healing the sick, raptures, and ecstasies, he died in the Scala convent. The process for his beatification was opened by decree on 23 February 1782.
