After cordial greetings and warm exchange of wishes with the Rector Major, Rev Narlely, joined his former schoolmates Fr Thomas Ellicherail (new provincial of Kolkata) and Fr Jose Chunkapura (Kolkata vice-provincial) and Fr C. M. Paul for dinner. Rev Narlely was student at Don Bosco Pachalam, Kerala (1965-66) and at Don Bosco Bandel, Kolkata (1966-69). Another Don Bosco Past Pupil, also from Don Bosco Bandel, Rev Br. Yesudas MC, served two terms, as Servant General of the Missionaries of Charity Brothers based in Kolkata, until 2004. The Trinitarians Worldwide Currently Trinitarians are spread out in some 25 countries, with seven provinces and over 600 priests and brothers. The richest vocation field of the Order is Madagascar. Besides being a province, Madagascar Island has two Trinitarian Bishops as well as about 100 young people in various stages of formation. The Trinitarian Family includes Fathers, Brothers, Sisters and also a Third Order. The Trinitarian headquarters is at Monte Mario area in south Rome on Via Massimi 114. General Info The Trinitarians were founded in 1198 by St John of Matha and St Felix of Valois, for the liberation of Christian prisoners and slaves from captivity under the Moors and Saracens. The two founders went to Rome and there obtained the approbation of Pope Innocent III, 1198. The Augustinian monastic rules were supplemented by regulations of an austere character. The habit was white, with a red and blue cross on the breast. The Trinitarians are canons regular, but in England they were often spoken of as friars. The first monastery and head house of the order was at Cerfroy near Soissons. Among the earliest recruits were some Englishmen, and the first to go on the special mission of the order were two Englishmen, who in 1200 went to Morocco and returned to France with 186 liberated Christian captives. This success excited great enthusiasm and led to the diffusion of the order all over Western Christendom. The ordinary method of freeing captives was by paying their ransom and for this purpose vast sums of money were collected by the Trinitarians; but they were called upon, if other means failed, to offer themselves in exchange for Christian captives. Many thousands were liberated by their efforts. In the 17th century a reform called the Barefooted Trinitarians was initiated, which became a distinct order and is the only one that survives. Photo Caption: Trinitarian Minister General greets Rector Major at the Pisana, Rome. Photo by C. M. Paul Email contact: jnarlaly@hotmail.com