According to Nathaniel Browne, who has an interest in all matters occult, the following is the rumoured truth of the Order to which Umberto belongs, or belonged.

This paranoid and secretive religious order once operated under the auspices of the Catholic Church, but since its former dissolution in the late 19th century it has operated only in secret. Responsible for the collection of the original 'Z' collection rumoured to be part of the Vatican library, the Order of St. Jerome is devoted to the rooting out and destruction of supernatural evil.

The Order is said to have a secret Alpine headquarters in which they have copies of many of the forbidden books of the 'Z' collection, and more besides.

Most of the order's members are wandering holy men travelling the world, living on charity while seeking out evil. They are willing to lay down their lives if necessary, and are said to be willing to sacrifice the lives of others if it serves the greater good in full belief that any innocent who dies in the crossfire of this noble war will be assured a place in heaven.