Juan de Mata (+1213)

Biography

Trinidad, or Trinitarian Fathers, which has 74 houses. He was born in France, on the border with Spain, and during his early years he dedicated himself to studies, horse riding and swimming. However, the activities he liked most were prayer and helping the poor. His father sent him to Paris, where he earned his doctorate and where he was ordained a priest. He was inspired by God to found a Congregation dedicated to freeing Christian captives, who were suffering greatly and some were in danger of losing their faith. Saint John of Mata and his companions managed, in the year 1202, to rescue 186 prisoners in Morocco. They spent several years in this arduous work, managing to free many hundreds of captives. His last years, Saint John spent in Rome dedicated to preaching and getting help for the poor.