Venerable Jérôme Nunzio Matteo Terzo

Jérôme Nunzio Matteo Terzo (1683–1758), in religion Jérôme of Jesus Mary Joseph, was an Italian hermit born in Noto, Sicily. After overseeing the hermitage of Santa Maria Scala del Paradiso (Our Lady of the Ladder to Paradise), he entered the Order of Carmel at the convent he had built near the church of Santa Maria della Scala. He gave great impetus to the devotion of Our Lady of the Ladder and divided his life between contemplation and preaching. He died in 1758 and is buried in the sanctuary. Considered a saint by many of his contemporaries, his beatification process began in 1796. After being suspended for a time, it was resumed during the 20th century.