- Also called:
- Mathurin
- Date:
- 1198 - present
- Areas Of Involvement:
- mendicant
- Related People:
- St. John of Matha
- St. Felix of Valois
Trinitarian
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What is the Trinitarian religious order?
The Trinitarians are a Roman Catholic religious order, the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the Redemption of Captives (O.SS.T.), established in France in 1198 by St. John of Matha. The order's initial purpose was to liberate enslaved Christians from the Moors in the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain during the Crusades. While it was started as a male religious order, Trinitarian nuns' congregations were soon created; oblate communities (laypeople) have emerged in the modern period.
Today, the order is dedicated to teaching, leading missions, and serving in parishes, hospitals, and prisons across the world. In accordance with their original goal, the Trinitarians continue to perform acts of mercy and promote human rights.
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When and why was the Trinitarian order founded?
The Trinitarian order, officially known as the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the Redemption of Captives (O.SS.T.), was founded in 1198 in France by St. John of Matha. The order's primary mission was to free enslaved Christians from captivity under the Moors in the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain during the Crusades.
The Trinitarians followed their own rule, which was based on that of St. Augustine, and was known for its austerity. They allocated one-third of their resources to freeing enslaved Christians, while the remaining two-thirds supported the monks and the poor. The motto of the order is Gloria Tibi Trinitas et captivis libertas which translates from Latin to English as "Glory to you O Trinity and liberty to the captives".
In the 21st century, the Trinitarians persist in their dedication to acts of mercy and the promotion of human rights through teaching, missions, and service in parishes, hospitals, and prisons.
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What is the main mission or purpose of the Trinitarians?
The Trinitarians, formally known as the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the Redemption of Captives, were founded in 1198 by St. John of Matha. Their primary mission was to liberate enslaved Christians from the Moors in the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain during the Crusades. They allocated one-third of their resources to freeing captives, while the remainder supported the monks and the poor.
Today, Trinitarians continue to uphold their mission by advocating for human rights and performing acts of mercy. They are involved in teaching, conducting missions, and serving in various settings such as parishes, hospitals, and prisons. Their congregations are located globally, including in the France, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Canada and the United States, where they minister to newly arrived immigrants.
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What are some symbols or customs unique to the Trinitarian order?
The Trinitarian order, officially known as the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the Redemption of Captives, has unique symbols and customs. Their habit is a white scapular with a distinctive cross: a vertical red bar and a horizontal blue bar, symbolizing the Trinity.
Their motto, Gloria Tibi Trinitas et captivis libertas, which is Latin for "Glory to you O Trinity and liberty to the captives,” encapsulates their dedication. The Trinitarians historically allocated one-third of their resources to freeing enslaved Christians, with the remainder supporting the monks and the poor.
Today, Trinitarians focus on teaching, missions, and service in various settings while continuing to advocate for human rights and perform acts of mercy.
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How did the Trinitarians help people during their early history?
The Trinitarians, officially known as the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the Redemption of Captives, originated in France in 1198. Their primary mission was to liberate enslaved Christians from the Moors in the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain during the Crusades.
The Trinitarians allocated one-third of their resources to freeing enslaved Christians, while the remaining two-thirds supported the monks and the poor. It is estimated that they ransomed as many as 140,000 captives. The motto of the order is Gloria Tibi Trinitas et captivis libertas, which translates from Latin to "Glory to you O Trinity and liberty to the captives".
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How does the Trinitarian order continue its mission in the modern world?
The Trinitarian Order persists in the modern world by upholding its original mission through various ministries and services.
Modern Trinitarian congregations dedicate themselves to teaching, conducting missions, and serving in parishes, hospitals, and prisons across the world. They can be found in France, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Canada, Argentina, Bolivia, Puerto Rico, Madagascar, South Korea, and the Philippines.
Remaining true to their founding principles, the Trinitarians continue to perform acts of mercy and advocate for human rights. For example, in India, they collaborate with local women to foster business skills and achieve financial independence, while in the United States, they minister to newly arrived immigrants.
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Trinitarian, member of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the Redemption of Captives (O.SS.T.), a Roman Catholic religious order that was founded in France in 1198 by St. John of Matha. The order’s original mission was to free enslaved Christians from captivity under the Moors in the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain during the Crusades. St. Felix of Valois has been traditionally considered as cofounder, but historians have questioned his existence. Although the Trinitarians were founded as a male religious order, congregations of Trinitarian nuns were established soon afterward. In the modern era, oblate communities (laypeople) have formed.
History
The motherhouse was established in Cerfroid, a village in the region of Picardy in northern France. The order had its own rule, based on that of St. Augustine and distinguished for its austerity. The Trinitarians devoted one-third of their possessions and revenues to the liberation of enslaved Christians; the other two-thirds were split between support for the monks and support for the poor. No accurate figure for the number of captives ransomed can be given, but it has been estimated that the total was as high as 140,000.
The monastic habit of the Trinitarians is identifiable by its white scapular (a long band of cloth worn over the shoulders) bearing a cross with a vertical red bar and a horizontal blue bar. This design originated with the order’s founding and symbolizes the Trinity.
The order’s motto is Gloria Tibi Trinitas et captivis libertas (Latin: “Glory to you O Trinity and liberty to the captives.”
In France members of the order were typically called Mathurins, because they were given possession of a church in Paris dedicated to St. Mathurin. The order is said to have numbered 5,000 members in 1240, but, by the end of the Middle Ages, a decline had set in, and various reforms were attempted during the 16th century. In 1597 a reform called the Barefooted (Discalced) Trinitarians was initiated in Spain by Juan Bautista of the Immaculate Conception; this became a distinct order and is the basis of the Trinitarian congregations of the modern era.
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Modern Trinitarian congregations
In the 21st century the order devotes itself to teaching, conducting missions, and serving in parishes, hospitals, and prisons. Congregations are found throughout the world, including in France, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Canada, Argentina, Bolivia, Puerto Rico, Madagascar, South Korea, and the Philippines.
In accordance with the order’s founding mission, the Trinitarians continue to perform acts of mercy and to work for human rights. In India, for example, congregations work with local women to help them develop business skills and achieve financial independence. In the United States the Trinitarians minister to newly arrived immigrants.