Trinitarians
From Churches of Rome Wiki
The Trinitarians (Order of the Most Holy Trinity, also known as Mathurins) is a Catholic order.
It was founded in the late 12th century at Cerfroid by St John of Matha and St Felix of Valois. The order was approved by Pope Innocent III in 1198.
The rule is an austere form of the Augustinian rule, which has since been revised several times. Spiritually, the order has a special devotion to the Holy Trinity.
The members wear a white habit with a cross flory (upright red, crossbar blue) on the scapular and cloak. Originally, one third of their income was devoted to ransoming Christian captives.
A reformed branch known as the Discalced Trinitarians was founded in Spain in 1596. The two branches were reunited in 1972.
After a turn for the better in Italy and Spain in the late 19th century, it had about 400 priests and 40 lay brothers in 1993. The Trinitarians are engaged in education, nursing and pastoral work.
The original female Trinitarian order no longer exists, but there are female Trinitarian communities engaged in education and nursing.
These days, there are few Christian captives to ransom, if any at all, but the Order has moved with the times and founded the Trinitarian International Solidarity (SIT), devoted to promoting awareness about persecution, captivity and discrimination.
[edit] Churches connected to the order
- San Tommaso in Formis was rebuilt by the Order in 1209, and St John of Matha's cell is preserved there.
- San Crisogono is served by Trinitarian priests.
