St. Felix of Valois

St. Felix of Valois was born, according to tradition, in 1127 in France, and withdrew from the world to live as a hermit in the forest of Cerfroid in the region of Meaux, giving himself to a life of prayer, penance, and solitude. There, tradition relates, he was joined by the younger and learned John of Matha, who shared with him a divine call to labor for the freedom of Christians held in slavery.

Together the two founded in 1198 the Order of the Most Holy Trinity for the Redemption of Captives, the Trinitarians, and Cerfroid became the order's first house. While John of Matha traveled and negotiated ransoms, Felix is remembered for governing and strengthening the order's foundations in France, nurturing the contemplative and charitable spirit at its heart. He died at Cerfroid, by tradition on 4 November 1212, in great age and holiness, and is venerated together with his companion as a founder of the Trinitarian work of mercy.