Father Thomas A. Judge (1868-1933)

Born in Boston, Thomas Augustine Judge worked to support his family at the post office before joining the Vincentian Fathers. Ordained in 1899 at age 31, he was mainly involved in preaching missions around the country for the first few years of his priesthood. In 1909, he formed a lay organization in Brooklyn known as the Missionary Cenacle, which did house visits and religious instruction. Wherever his assignments took him, he founded similar groups. In 1915 he was assigned to Alabama, in an area that had very few Catholics. He sent out an appeal to his lay missionaries to come down and help, and in time they developed into religious communities. The Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity (sisters) was founded in 1919, and the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity (priests and brothers) were founded in 1921. Until his death, Father Judge remained the spiritual guide for both congregations, even though he remained in the Vincentian order until his death.