John of Matha, the institutor of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the Ransom of Captives, was born at Fancon in Provence, France, of parents conspicuous for their nobility and virtue. He studied first at Aix, and afterwards at Paris where, after having completed his theological course, he received the degree of Doctor. His eminent learning and virtues induced the Bishop of Paris to promote him in spite of his humble resistance to the holy order of priesthood that, during his sojourn there, he might be a bright example to young students by his talents and piety. While celebrating his first Mass in the Bishop’s chapel in the presence of the Prelate and several assistants, there appeared to John an Angel clad in a white and brilliant robe. He had on his breast a red and blue cross, and his arms were stretched out, crossed one above the other, over two captives, one a Christian, the other a Moor. Falling into an ecstasy at this sight, the John immediately understood that he was called to ransom captives from the infidels. But that he might the more prudently carry out so important an undertaking, he withdrew into a solitude. There, by divine appointment, he met with Felix of Valois who had been living many years in that same desert. They agreed to live together, and for three years John devoted himself to prayer, contemplation and the practice of every virtue.
One day, as they were seated near a fountain, conferring with each other on holy things, a stag came towards them, bearing a red and blue cross between his antlers. John, perceiving that Felix was surprised by so strange an occurrence, told him of the vision he had had in his first Mass. They gave themselves more fervently than ever to prayer, and having been thrice admonished in sleep, they resolved to set out for Rome to obtain permission from the Sovereign Pontiff to found an Order for the ransom of captives. Innocent III who had shortly before been elected Pope received them kindly, and while deliberating on what they proposed it happened that as he was celebrating Mass in the Lateran Church on the second feast of Saint Agnes, there appeared to him, during the elevation of the sacred Host, an Angel robed in white, bearing a two-coloured cross, and in the attitude of one that was rescuing captives. The Pontiff then gave his approbation to the new institute, and would have it called the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the Ransom of Captives, bidding its members wear a white habit, with a red and blue cross.
The Order being thus established, its holy founders returned to France and erected their first Monastery at Cerfroid in the diocese of Meaux. Felix was left to govern it, and John returned, accompanied by a few of his brethren, to Rome. Innocent III gave them the house, church and hospital of Saint Thomas de Formis, together with various revenues and possessions. He also gave them letters to Miramolin, king of Morocco, and thus was prosperously begun the work of Ransom. John afterwards went into Spain, a great portion of which was then under the Saracen yoke. He stirred up kings, princes and others of the faithful to compassion for the captives and the poor. He built monasteries, founded hospitals and saved the souls of many captives by purchasing their freedom. Having, at length, returned to Rome, he spent his days in doing good. Worn out by incessant labour and sickness, and burning with a most ardent love of God and his neighbour, it was evident that his death was at hand.
Calling his brethren round him, John eloquently besought them to labour in the work of Ransom which Heaven had entrusted to them, and then slept in the Lord on the sixteenth of the Calends of January (December 17th) in 1213. His body was buried with the honour that was due to him in the same Church of Saint Thomas de Formis.
Dom Prosper Guéranger:
We were celebrating, not many days ago, the memory of Peter Nolasco who was inspired by the Holy Mother of God to found an Order for the ransoming of Christian captives from the infidels. Today we have to honour the generous Saint to whom this sublime work was first revealed. He established, under the name of the Most Holy Trinity, a body of religious men who bound themselves by vow to devote their energies, their privations, their liberty, nay, their very life, to the service of the poor slaves who were groaning under the Saracen yoke. The Order of the Trinitarians, and the Order of Mercy, though distinct, have the same end in view, and the result of their labours during the [eight] hundred years of their existence has been the restoring to liberty and preserving from apostasy upwards of a million slaves. John of Matha, assisted by his faithful cooperator, Felix of Valois (whose feast we will keep at the close of the Year) established the centre of his grand work at Meaux in France. We are preparing for Lent when one of our great duties will have to be that of charity towards our suffering brethren: what finer model could we have than John of Matha, and his whole Order, which was called into existence for no other object than that of delivering from the horrors of slavery brethren who were utter strangers to their deliverers, but were in suffering and in bondage. Can we imagine any alms-giving, let it be ever so generous, which can bear comparison with this devotedness of men who bind themselves by their Rule not only to traverse every Christian land begging alms for the ransom of slaves, but to change places with the poor captives, if their liberty cannot be otherwise obtained? Is it not, as far as human weakness permits, following to the very letter, the example of the Son of God Himself who came down from Heaven that He might be our ransom and Redeemer? We repeat it: with such models as these before us we will feel ourselves urged to follow the injunction we are shortly to receive from the Church, of exercising works of mercy towards our fellow-creatures as being one of the essential elements of our Lenten penance.
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And now, generous hearted Saint, enjoy the fruits of your devoted charity. Our Blessed Redeemer recognises you as one of His most faithful imitators, and the whole court of Heaven is witness of the recompense with which He loves to honour your likeness to Himself. We must imitate you. We must walk in your footsteps, for we, too, hope to reach the same eternal resting place. Fraternal charity will lead us to Heaven, for the works it inspires us to do have the power of freeing the soul from sin, as our Lord assures us (Ecclesiasticus iii. 33). Your charity was formed on the model of that which is in the heart of God, who loves our soul, yet disdains not to provide for the wants of our body. Seeing so many souls in danger of apostasy, you ran to their aid and men were taught to love a religion which can produce heroes of charity like you. Your heart bled at hearing of the bodily sufferings of these captives, and your hand broke the chains of their galling slavery. Teach us the secret of ardent charity. Is it possible that we can see a soul in danger of being lost, and remain indifferent? Have we forgotten the divine promise, told us by the Apostle: “He that causes a sinner to be converted from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of his own sins”? (James v. 20). Get us also a tender compassion for such as are in bodily suffering and poverty, so that we may be generous in comforting them under these trials which are but too often an occasion of their blaspheming Providence. Dear friend and Liberator of slaves! Pray, during this holy Season, for those who groan under the captivity of sin and Satan: for those, especially, who, taken with the frenzy of earthly pleasures, feel not the weight of their chains but sleep on peacefully through their slavery. Ransom them by your prayers, convert them to the Lord their God, lead them back to the land of freedom. Pray for France which was your country, and save her from infidelity. Protect the venerable remnants of your Order so that it may labour for the present wants of the Christian world, since the object for which you instituted it has ceased to require its devotedness.Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:
St. Jerome Aemiliani, confessor, founder of the Congregation of Somascha, who slept in the Lord on the eighth of this month. He was numbered among the saints by Pope Clement XIII, his feast being assigned to the twentieth of July.
At Rome, the holy martyrs Paul, Lucius and Cyriacus.
In Lesser Armenia, the birthday of the holy martyrs Denis, Aemilian and Sebastian.
At Alexandria, under the emperor Decius, the martyr St. Cointha, whom the pagans seized, led to the idols and urged to adore them. As she refused with horror, they put her feet in chains and dragged her through the streets of the city, mangling her body in a barbarous manner.
At Constantinople, the birthday of the holy martyrs, monks of the monastery of Dins, who, bringing the letter of Pope St. Felix against Acacius, were barbarously killed for their defence of the Catholic faith.
In Persia, in the time of king Cabades, the commemoration of the holy martyrs who were put to death by various kinds of torments on account of their faith in Christ.
At Pavia, the bishop St. Juventius, who strenuously laboured in preaching the Gospel.
At Milan, the demise of St. Honoratus, bishop and confessor.
At Verdun in France, St. Paul, a bishop renowned for miracles.
At Muret near Limoges, the birthday of the abbot St. Stephen, founder of the Order of Grandimont, celebrated for his virtues and miracles.
In the monastery of Vallombrosa, blessed Peter, cardinal-bishop of Albano, of the Congregation of Vallombrosa, of the Order of St. Benedict, surnamed Igneus, because he passed through fire uninjured.
And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.
Thanks be to God.
