John of Matha, Saint

GIOVANNI di MATHA, saint. - Born into a noble family at Faucon (Provence) on 23 June 1160; died in Rome on 17 Dec. 1213. He studied the humanities at Aix (Provence) in the years 1172–78 and, from 1180, theology at the University of Paris. Ordained priest on 15 Nov. 1192, he withdrew into solitude. At Cerfroid (Aisne) he met Felice di Valois, with whom he lived for several years. Having decided to found an Order for the ransom of Christians enslaved by Muslims, they went to Rome, where, on 18 Jan. 1198, they submitted their project to Innocenzo III, who confirmed its rules on 17 Dec. The Order was called that of the Most Holy Trinity, or of the Trinitarians, and wore a white habit with a red and blue cross on the breast. G. settled in Rome. He immediately devoted himself to the ransom of slaves and to the spread of the Order. He founded convents in southern France and in Spain. Feast day: 8 Feb.