John of Matha
Encyclopedia
Saint John of Matha was a Christian
saint
of the 12th century and founder of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity
. He was born on 1154 at Faucon-de-Barcelonnette
, France
. As a youth, he was educated at Aix-en-Provence
, and later studied theology at the University of Paris
. While in Paris, he was urged by a vision during his first Mass to dedicate his life to the service of the captive Christian slaves. He offered service to and was instructed by the hermit, St. Felix of Valois, in the region of Soissons
, and went to Rome
with him in 1198.
On December 17, 1198, he obtained the preliminary approval of Pope Innocent III
for a new order dedicated in honour of the Blessed Trinity for the redemption of Christian captives. This order was fully approved in 1209. The Order of the Most Holy Trinity's first monastery was established at Cerfroid (just north of Paris) and the second at Rome at the church of San Tommaso in Formis
. Christian slaves were first rescued by the Order in 1201. In 1202 and 1210 John travelled to Tunisia
himself and brought back countless Christian slaves.
St. John of Matha died on December 17, 1213 in Rome. In 1655, his relics were transferred from Rome to Madrid
. His cultus was approved in 1665 and his feast day is December 17.
DeMatha Catholic High School
located in Hyattsville, Maryland
, U.S.
is named after him. It is also sponsored by the Trinitarians.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
of the 12th century and founder of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity
Trinitarian Order
The Order of the Holy Trinity is a Catholic religious order that was founded in the area of Cerfroid, some 80 km northeast of Paris, at the end of the twelfth century. The founder was St. John de Matha, whose feast day is celebrated on 17 December...
. He was born on 1154 at Faucon-de-Barcelonnette
Faucon-de-Barcelonnette
Faucon-de-Barcelonnette is a commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in southeastern France.-Population:-References:*...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. As a youth, he was educated at Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence
Aix , or Aix-en-Provence to distinguish it from other cities built over hot springs, is a city-commune in southern France, some north of Marseille. It is in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, in the département of Bouches-du-Rhône, of which it is a subprefecture. The population of Aix is...
, and later studied theology at the University of Paris
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
. While in Paris, he was urged by a vision during his first Mass to dedicate his life to the service of the captive Christian slaves. He offered service to and was instructed by the hermit, St. Felix of Valois, in the region of Soissons
Soissons
Soissons is a commune in the Aisne department in Picardy in northern France, located on the Aisne River, about northeast of Paris. It is one of the most ancient towns of France, and is probably the ancient capital of the Suessiones...
, and went to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
with him in 1198.
On December 17, 1198, he obtained the preliminary approval of Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III was Pope from 8 January 1198 until his death. His birth name was Lotario dei Conti di Segni, sometimes anglicised to Lothar of Segni....
for a new order dedicated in honour of the Blessed Trinity for the redemption of Christian captives. This order was fully approved in 1209. The Order of the Most Holy Trinity's first monastery was established at Cerfroid (just north of Paris) and the second at Rome at the church of San Tommaso in Formis
San Tommaso in Formis
The church of San Tommaso in Formis is a small church in Rome, situated on the Caelian Hill.-History:Situated on the edge of Villa Celimontana and next to the Arch of Dolabella , a gate in the original Servian Wall, the church is dedicated to St. Thomas the Apostle...
. Christian slaves were first rescued by the Order in 1201. In 1202 and 1210 John travelled to Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
himself and brought back countless Christian slaves.
St. John of Matha died on December 17, 1213 in Rome. In 1655, his relics were transferred from Rome to Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
. His cultus was approved in 1665 and his feast day is December 17.
DeMatha Catholic High School
DeMatha Catholic High School
DeMatha Catholic High School, named after Saint John of Matha, is a four-year Catholic high school for young men located in Hyattsville, Maryland, USA. DeMatha is known for academic achievement, music, arts, service and athletics...
located in Hyattsville, Maryland
Hyattsville, Maryland
Hyattsville is a city in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 17,557 at the 2000 census.- History :The city was named for its founder, Christopher Clark Hyatt. He purchased his first parcel of land in the area in March 1845...
, U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
is named after him. It is also sponsored by the Trinitarians.