John of Matha was born in France in 1160 to wealthy parents. As a child, he delighted in helping the poor, and when his parents sent him to Paris to receive a good education he spent his money and free time visiting hospitals and tending the sick. His teachers encouraged him to enter the priesthood, even though he was an excellent student. He became a hermit after graduation, but eventually entered the seminary. When he was celebrating his first Mass, at the moment of consecration he had a vision of an angel with his hands on the heads of two captives. This inspired Fr. John to start a new religious order, with a mission to redeem captive Christian slaves.
CHALLENGE
In his vision, St. John of Matha saw the angel wearing a white habit with a distinctive red and blue cross on the chest. The Order of the Holy Trinity, also known as the Trinitarians, continues to this day, and they still wear the same distinctive habit. Today, go to trinitarians.org to find out more about the order and give them a donation to help them further their work.
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