Saint John of Matha, Confessor
S. Ioannis de Matha Confessoris
A French priest and founder, in an age of war between Christendom and the Moors, of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the ransom of Christian captives.
Saint John of Matha lived at the close of the twelfth century, when many Christians taken in war or by piracy languished in captivity, in danger of losing both their freedom and their faith. Moved with compassion for these prisoners, John conceived the work that would occupy his life: a religious order devoted to redeeming captives, even at the price, if need be, of the religious offering themselves in exchange.
Founder of the Trinitarians
Together with Saint Felix of Valois, John founded the Order of the Most Holy Trinity, approved by Pope Innocent III about the year 1198. The Trinitarians wore a white habit marked with a cross of red and blue, and devoted a portion of their goods to the ransoming of Christian slaves from captivity. Over the centuries the Order laboured tirelessly in this charitable and dangerous work, and through it countless captives were restored to liberty and to the practice of their faith.
His Memory
Many particulars of Saint John’s life come down to us through later tradition rather than through early and certain record, and the Church is content to honour what is sure: his charity, his founding of the Order, and his holy death at Rome in the year 1213. In him the faithful venerate a man who saw Christ in the captive and the suffering, and who gave his whole life to setting them free — a living image of the Gospel love that lays down its life for others.
The Collect
O God, who by heavenly inspiration didst vouchsafe, through blessed John, to found the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the ransom of captives from the power of the Saracens: grant, we beseech Thee; that, by the help of his merits pleading for us, we may by Thy aid be delivered from the captivity of body and soul. Through our Lord Jesus Christ…
Deus, qui per sanctum Ioánnem órdinem sanctíssimæ Trinitátis ad rediméndum de potestáte Saracenórum captívos cǽlitus institúere dignátus es: præsta, quǽsumus; ut, eius suffragántibus méritis, a captivitáte córporis et ánimæ, te adiuvánte, liberémur.
Patronage
With Saint Felix of Valois, Saint John of Matha is venerated as a patron of captives and of those who labour for their liberation, and as founder of the Trinitarian Order.
In the Modern Calendar
In the modern calendar, the feast of Saint John of Matha is no longer kept in the universal calendar, though it is retained by the Trinitarian Order and in some local calendars.
Common Questions
When is the feast of Saint John of Matha?
In the traditional Roman calendar the feast of Saint John of Matha is kept on 8 February as a feast of the Third Class. It is no longer observed in the universal modern calendar.
Who was Saint John of Matha?
Saint John of Matha was a French priest who, with Saint Felix of Valois, founded the Order of the Most Holy Trinity around 1198 to ransom Christian captives held in slavery. He died at Rome in 1213.
What did the Trinitarian Order do?
The Trinitarians devoted themselves to redeeming Christians held captive, setting aside part of their resources for ransom and, at times, offering themselves in exchange for prisoners in danger of losing their faith.
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