Prayer
The intimate
relationship
between God and His people is only understood in its depth through
prayer. In this sensitive communion with God one begins to
perceive the dynamic love of the Trinity -
the love of the Father for His Son in the Holy Spirit. The
Trinitarians' life of prayer flows from this model of love and
takes on
a variety of forms. We pray communally by gathering each morning
and evening to recite or chant the Psalms. At these
times we
remember those who are not free to express their love and need
for God.
Our prayer, which achieves its greatest expression in the daily celebration of the Eucharist, further expresses our gratitude for the gift of faith, for our vocation and for each other. Our prayer is also private and may take the form of a reflective walk or a silent meditation. It is in these solitary moments of silence that no words are said but much is spoken; nothing is heard but much is understood. The unique balance between communal and personal prayer allows us to celebrate our relationship with God and facilitates our involvement in the active ministry. Through prayer, the Trinitarian is able to discern the face of God in the faces of those he serves.
Through his relationship with God-Trinity, the Trinitarian is able to embrace the world with a great reserve of love, especially for the less fortunate.
Our prayer, which achieves its greatest expression in the daily celebration of the Eucharist, further expresses our gratitude for the gift of faith, for our vocation and for each other. Our prayer is also private and may take the form of a reflective walk or a silent meditation. It is in these solitary moments of silence that no words are said but much is spoken; nothing is heard but much is understood. The unique balance between communal and personal prayer allows us to celebrate our relationship with God and facilitates our involvement in the active ministry. Through prayer, the Trinitarian is able to discern the face of God in the faces of those he serves.
Through his relationship with God-Trinity, the Trinitarian is able to embrace the world with a great reserve of love, especially for the less fortunate.
Common Life
We are often asked
what life is like in a monastery.
In reality, most of our men do not live in monasteries, but rather in
smaller, intimate, down-to-earth communities.
Our founder was a practical man who directed that each community shape its daily prayer life around its ministerial responsibilities. Today we still follow his directive. Each Trinitarian is encouraged to discern what work he would perform best, and in what kind of community he would enjoy living. The joy of life and the support of our community are deemed essential for the success of our ministry.
All Christians are called to follow Christ. We, however, are called to follow Christ in a more radical way. We live our lives embracing the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. These commitments free us to pursue our work and develop a deeper relationship with God. In turn, our love for one another as brothers and our life-style provide the needed intimacy which makes the living of the vowed life easy to integrate and celebrate.
Each Brother soon learns that he is important to the community, to himself, and to God. He is made to feel part of a collective force for building a better world... a world richer in hope and love.
A Variety of Ministries
Our founder was a practical man who directed that each community shape its daily prayer life around its ministerial responsibilities. Today we still follow his directive. Each Trinitarian is encouraged to discern what work he would perform best, and in what kind of community he would enjoy living. The joy of life and the support of our community are deemed essential for the success of our ministry.
All Christians are called to follow Christ. We, however, are called to follow Christ in a more radical way. We live our lives embracing the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. These commitments free us to pursue our work and develop a deeper relationship with God. In turn, our love for one another as brothers and our life-style provide the needed intimacy which makes the living of the vowed life easy to integrate and celebrate.
Each Brother soon learns that he is important to the community, to himself, and to God. He is made to feel part of a collective force for building a better world... a world richer in hope and love.
A Variety of Ministries
The first
Trinitarians arrived
in the
United States in 1906 to work with Italian immigrants who
needed Italian-speaking priests to sustain their faith. With
their
work in
parishes for immigrants well under way along the
Eastern
seaboard, they
turned their attention to establishing a monastery in the Washington,
D.C. area for the education of the young men who were
entering the
Order. For this purpose, the Trinitarians established De Matha Catholic
High School, which has twice received a national award for excellence
in education.
While parish work and education have remained important commitments for the Trinitarians, they have turned their attention to institutional ministry. Today's Trinitarians are also missionaries, social workers, counselors, and chaplains in prisons, hospitals and institutions for the disabled. In New Orleans they staff a parish and work with the poor and the terminally ill. In Washington, D.C., a Trinitarian lobbies on behalf of people who are persecuted for their religious beliefs. In Texas they do pastoral work among the Mexican-Americans. In Baltimore they have established a shelter for homeless young men who would otherwise be forced to live in streets and alleys. Their headquarters outside of Baltimore City is also a retreat center. In 19 countries around the world the Trinitarians labor to promote the work of the Order and the advancement of our Catholic Faith.
The redemptive inspiration of their Founder adapted to the needs of present day Church and society - finds today's Trinitarians working around the world on behalf of:
- those who are persecuted for their faith, and making society aware of their struggle;
- those unjustly deprived of freedom and justice;
- the poor, the sick and the imprisoned;
- the promotion of the faith in foreign lands;
- pastoral ministry, preferably in poor parishes and among people whose faith is
endangered;
- quality Catholic education.
Hospitality has always been an important characteristic of the Trinitarians. In their earliest hospices on the southern coast of Europe, they cared for the returning slaves who were broken in body and spirit. Today, they share the warmth of friendliness with their contemporary counterparts and with all who knock at their doors.
You too can be a Trinitarian!
While parish work and education have remained important commitments for the Trinitarians, they have turned their attention to institutional ministry. Today's Trinitarians are also missionaries, social workers, counselors, and chaplains in prisons, hospitals and institutions for the disabled. In New Orleans they staff a parish and work with the poor and the terminally ill. In Washington, D.C., a Trinitarian lobbies on behalf of people who are persecuted for their religious beliefs. In Texas they do pastoral work among the Mexican-Americans. In Baltimore they have established a shelter for homeless young men who would otherwise be forced to live in streets and alleys. Their headquarters outside of Baltimore City is also a retreat center. In 19 countries around the world the Trinitarians labor to promote the work of the Order and the advancement of our Catholic Faith.
The redemptive inspiration of their Founder adapted to the needs of present day Church and society - finds today's Trinitarians working around the world on behalf of:
- those who are persecuted for their faith, and making society aware of their struggle;
- those unjustly deprived of freedom and justice;
- the poor, the sick and the imprisoned;
- the promotion of the faith in foreign lands;
- pastoral ministry, preferably in poor parishes and among people whose faith is
endangered;
- quality Catholic education.
Hospitality has always been an important characteristic of the Trinitarians. In their earliest hospices on the southern coast of Europe, they cared for the returning slaves who were broken in body and spirit. Today, they share the warmth of friendliness with their contemporary counterparts and with all who knock at their doors.
You too can be a Trinitarian!
John De Matha was
a prophet for his times. His vision
was to restore the disfigured image of God-Trinity in those
who
suffered. That vision has become his heirs' mission of bringing freedom
to the oppresed, liberty of conscience to those not free to
profess
their faith, and justice for all.
If you have love to give and courage to offer it, make yours this same vision and mission. Like Blessed Anna Maria Taigi or St. Benedict J. Labre, you can be a Trinitarian lay member. Or - should you be one to whom God has given a special call - you can become a Trinitarian priest, brother, or sister.
Together we can keep alive the hope for a world free of suffering and alienation. Together we can help those unjustly deprived of their freedom and those who do not know the freedom that is to be found in our great Catholic Faith.
Become a Trinitarian and discover a life of rewarding involvement... a life of intense love for God and neighbor.
If you have love to give and courage to offer it, make yours this same vision and mission. Like Blessed Anna Maria Taigi or St. Benedict J. Labre, you can be a Trinitarian lay member. Or - should you be one to whom God has given a special call - you can become a Trinitarian priest, brother, or sister.
Together we can keep alive the hope for a world free of suffering and alienation. Together we can help those unjustly deprived of their freedom and those who do not know the freedom that is to be found in our great Catholic Faith.
Become a Trinitarian and discover a life of rewarding involvement... a life of intense love for God and neighbor.
For more information print, complete, and send this coupon to:
The Trinitarians
P.O. Box 5719
Baltimore, MD 21208-8742
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