FABIOLA, SAINT

born , Rome died c. 399, Rome; feast day December 27 Christian noblewoman credited with founding the first public hospital in western Europe. After her conversion to Christianity, she worked closely with St. Jerome, dedicating her wealth and life to the church. In addition to the hospital founded in Rome, she later founded, with St. Pammachius, a hospice for pilgrims at Porto, Italy, the first of its kind. She supported monasteries throughout Italy and the Mediterranean islands. Familiar with Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, she studied the Scriptures under Jerome, whom she followed to Bethlehem (395), where she lived with Saints Paula and Eustochium. At Fabiola's request, Jerome wrote a treatise on the priesthood of Aaron, on the priestly dress, and on the 42 stopping places of the Israelites in the desert. When the Huns threatened to invade Palestine, Fabiola returned to Rome (396).