Ladies and their Sensitivites

Naturally, Jerome's discussion on the possessions and material wealth (as well as to some rather questionable personal traits) reminded me (in addition to several songs from Sweeney Todd) of the stark contrast of the Christian ideal of asceticism and particularly that surrounding the author's personal teachings.   At this point in the Western Roman Empire, while Christianity has emerged as the dominant religion, the frequent barbarian attacks and loss of territory must have caused a severe impact on the economy.  Thus, imported pearls and clothes must have been only accessible to the highest of families and these seem to be the target of Jerome's scorn.  Indeed, I was amazed to discover that Marcellae's case was not the only Roman aristocrat that Jerome converted to his ascetic ways, and while most of his followers, along with the teacher himself attained sainthood, there is at least one example, a senatorial woman of Rome named Blaesilla, who perished because of her asceticism.  I wonder how Jerome was viewed in Rome during his time period in Rome prior to all of the later blessings and whether his conversion of several prominent members of Roman society would have been seen as a noble pursuit in light of the contemporary religious situation or as a devious act.