John was born on June 24, 1169, to very pious and noble parents, in Faucon, France. He was named in the honor of Saint John the Baptist. His mother dedicated him to God with a vow from his infancy. His father Euphemius, sent him to Aix, where he learned grammar, fencing, riding, and other exercises fit for a young nobleman, but his chief attention was to advance in virtue.

While he was away at school, he gave the poor a considerable part of the money his parents had sent him. He visited the hospital every Friday, assisting the poor and sick, dressing and cleansing their sores, and affording them all the comfort in his power.

Upon his return home, he begged his father to allow him to leave so as to continue his services and live in a little hermitage nearby. After some time, it was granted, but he was constantly interrupted from solitude by frequent visits from his friends. Instead, he received his father’s consent to study Theology in Paris.

He obtained his degree and doctorate easily and was soon ordained a priest as an advisement of his professors. He sacrificed his noble rank and other worldly advantages.

At his 1st mass, an angel appeared, clad in white, with a red and blue cross on his chest, and his hands reposing on the heads of a Christian, and a Muslim captive. Afterwards, John sought out Saint Felix of Valois for his assistance and direction. Even with John’s young age, Felix did not see or treat him as a disciple, but as a fellow companion. The angel appeared once again, and they both set out for Rome. Pope Innocent III had already received letters of recommendation before their arrival. The Pope adhered to the advice of the Cardinals and Bishops which was for John and Felix to form a new religious order with John as the general minister. Their rules were drawn up and approved in 1198. Their clothing was to wear a blue and red cross on their chest, and they devoted themselves to the redemption of the Christians enslaved by the Muslims.

They presented themselves before the King of France and were given land for a convent. Their number increased greatly. The Order fasted every day and gathered alms throughout Europe to ransom Muslim captives. They also devoted themselves to the sick and prisoners in all countries.

John then sent 2 to Tunis, Tunisia of North Africa, in 1201, to redeem 186 Christian slaves by negotiating at the port with the Muslims. The following year he ventured himself on the 2nd trip where he purchased the liberty of 110 more. Upon his return home, his order received great charities and alms to continue their efforts. In 1210 he made a 3rd trip and brought back an additional 120 slaves when the Muslims attacked his ship, leaving it without sail or rudder. With his prayer, strong winds carried the ship to safety to Ostia, the port of Rome, in just several days.

He continued working for the freedom of Christians around the world, and died on December 21, 1213, at the age of 61.

Today Christians face a great persecution in many countries, as they did during the times of Muslim invasion and slavery. We also face a great slavery of vice to all the temptations the modern world offers.

The Trinitarians still exist today, for those who suffer persecution for their faith in Christ. They can be found in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Peru, Puerto Rico, Austria, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, Congo, Madagascar, India, Vietnam, South Korea, and the Philippines; https://trinitarians.org/