Lentorama 2018: Second String Saints

Day 30: John of Matha

So over the course of doing this we've run into a number of saints whose "demotion" is understandable. You can only get so far when your actual existence is unproven.

I am less sure why today's saint got the heave ho. A French nobleman who joined the priesthood at the end of the 12th century, John reportedly saw a vision during his first Mass which would lead him to found the Order of the Most Holy Trinity, whose original mission was to ransom Christian captives to secure their freedom (which the Crusades made a necessary thing).

Today the order operates worldwide, and continues its mission (although it's broadened the concept of who is captive to cover people who are oppressed or persecuted but not enslaved outright).

Basketball fans may recognize his name thanks to DeMatha Catholic High School, a national hoops powerhouse that is also the order's only secondary/college prep school in the Americas).