Thank you to Vincentians, Trinitarians

This year, 2021, has a special significance for our Archdiocese and for three Religious Orders whose members serve here. In 1911, 110 years ago, the Vincentian Order, officially known as the Congregation for the Mission, arrived in the Archdiocese of Mobile at the invitation of Bishop Allen. In 1921, 100 years ago, the Trinitarian Fathers and Brothers, officially known as the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, was established with the approval of Bishop Allen. In 1931, 90 years ago, the Trinitarian Sisters, officially known as the Missionary Servants of the Blessed Holy Trinity, submitted their request to the Vatican for official recognition as a Religious Order. (It would be granted in February 1932). The histories of these three Religious Orders are interwoven.
At the beginning of the 20th century east central Alabama had few Catholics and was in desperate need of Catholic priests to serve the far flung Catholic presence. In 1911 Bishop Allen invited the Vincentians to come to Alabama. Fortunately, they accepted the invitation and opened a church in Opelika, assuming the pastoral care for the 150 Catholics in the 6,000 square miles of east central Alabama who had been entrusted to their care. Despite great opposition and many challenges, the Vincentians opened Catholic churches in Auburn, Tuskegee, Phenix City and other communities. The Church in east central Alabama was built by the Vincentians.
By the grace of God, in 1915 a Vincentian priest, Fr. Thomas Judge, was assigned to St Mary Parish in Opelika. Fr. Judge had been ordained a priest in 1899 and almost immediately had seen the need to involve lay people in the ministry of the Church. Everywhere he was assigned, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, he gathered men and women who wished to assist and be involved in charitable and educational ministries.
Upon arriving in the South, he felt that the work of the priest was too isolated. The need for more workers to serve the needs of neighbor and to spread the Good News of the Lord, was simply too overwhelming. He asked lay people from his previous assignments to associate with him in serving the needs he found in Alabama. God touched the hearts of several who responded and came to join Fr. Judge. It was from these volunteers that the Trinitarian Sisters would eventually come to be. 
God blessed their work. In 1916 Fr. Judge and 12 associates arrived in Phenix City where they established a school for White children, most of whom were very poor and not Catholic. These children did not attend public school since they had to walk and bring lunch to their dads who worked in the mills in Columbus, Ga. Fr. Judge opened a school which began in the morning but then recessed during the middle of the day so the children could bring lunch to their dads. School resumed later in the afternoon. This allowed the children to go to school.
In 1917 Burr Plantation south of Phenix City was purchased which became Holy Trinity Retreat. (The Trinitarian Sisters still operate a wonderful retreat house there to this day.) In 1918 Fr. Judge established a school for Black children in Phenix City. In 1920 the community of men moved to the newly purchased nearby Bradley Planation. In 1921 Fr. Judge was released from his duties as a Vincentian and Bishop Allen gave full permission and encouragement for the establishment of Fr. Judge’s group under the name of the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity. Bishop Allen approved the incorporation of the women’s association in 1923 and in 1931 the request was made to the Vatican for official recognition of the sisters as a Religious Order.
This is a far too short history of the tremendous work of the Vincentians, Fr. Judge and the men and women who joined him. Much is left out, not the least of which is that when Archbishop Toolen began Catholic Charities in 1931 he entrusted it to the Trinitarian Sisters. The Vincentians and Trinitarians priests, brothers and sisters have powerfully affected the life of the Archdiocese.
One final word about Fr. Judge. In addition to his faith and tireless efforts, he gave us a message which 30 years after his death was at the core of the Second Vatican Council. He was convinced that the priest by himself is insufficient to meet the pastoral needs of the people and realized that the talents of the laity must be brought into the ministries of the Church. This is a timely lesson for today.
Happy 110th, 100th and 90th anniversaries to the Vincentians and Trinitarians. Thank you for your ministry for and with the people of Alabama. May God bless you all.