Jerome M. Fernandez

Jerome Maria Fernandez was the first Indian bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Quilon, India. He is the founder of the Missionary Sisters of St.Therese of Infant Jesus (MSST). He was declared Servant of God on February 24, 2019 by Kollam Bishop Paul Antony Mullassery at Infant Jesus Cathedral, Thangassery.

Early life
Jerome M. Fernandez was born on 8 September 1901 in Koivila, Kollam, Kerala. He studied from St. Aloysius School, St. Raphael's Minor Seminary and St. Teresa's Major Seminary.

Priesthood
On 24 March 1928, Fernandez was ordained a catholic priest for the Roman Catholic diocese of Quilon.

Episcopate
Fernandez was appointed bishop of the Roman catholic diocese of Quilon on 25 September 1937 by Pope Pius XI and consecrated on 12 December 1937 by Archbishop Joseph Attipetty. He took retirement from pastoral services on 30 January 1978. He was succeeded by Joseph Gabriel Fernandez as the 12th Bishop of Quilon.

Death
Fernandez died on 26 February 1992 in Kerala, India.

Sainthood
The proceedings for the canonization was started on 24 February 2019 in Infant Jesus Cathedral, Kollam, Kerala and Bishop Jerome M. Fernandez was declared Servant of God.

Legacy
Bishop Jerome Institute has been set up in Kerala, India in his memory.