A group of Christendom alumni have launched a new print and digital magazine, Trivium, aimed at providing Catholics with beautiful writing, art, and photography. The publication, founded by Rachel Gerring ‘18, Emily (Bailey) DeVos ‘18, Mikaela Bailey ‘20, and Maria Gerring ‘22, seeks to “reclaim truth at the crossroads of modern life,” with the first issue of the magazine now available.
Trivium Magazine was born out of a desire to cut through the endless stream of noise in modern society by providing an outlet where fellow Catholics could find something more meaningful. For Rachel, a print magazine, where every element was created and designed by the team rather than relying on stock photography and writing, was the ideal way to accomplish this.
The publication seeks to “reclaim truth at the crossroads of modern life,” with the first issue of the magazine now available.
“While the idea of starting a magazine had entered my mind in the past, it was really Emily DeVos and Mikaela Bailey who got it off the ground earlier this year,” says Rachel, who now serves as executive editor of the magazine. “They pitched the idea of a Catholic print magazine to me and I was immediately on board. Printed periodicals have always played a part in my life, and with the overwhelming stream of online content, we saw a need for something different — a place where fellow Catholics could find beauty, hope, and inspiration.”
The name “Trivium” is derived from the Latin word meaning “crossroads,” reflecting the magazine’s mission to serve as a place of rest and inspiration.
“Our motto is ‘Reclaiming Truth at the Crossroads of Modern Life,” says Gerring, who also works as a software testing manager at the IT company Sole Solutions. “With a reverence for those who have come before us, our goal is to grow in faith, hope, love, and ultimately in holiness, even while we live in a world that does all it can to destroy these goals.”
Trivium is a team and family effort, according to Gerring, with both sets of sisters working in tandem on the magazine. Together, they defined the goals, style, and mission of the magazine, along with writing for it and running the business. Each plays a particular role in bringing each issue to completion, with Rachel serving as executive editor, Mikaela as creative director, Emily as managing editor, and Maria as cover artist and social media manager.
Mikaela Bailey ‘20, Rachel Gerring ‘18, Emily (Bailey) DeVos ‘18, and Maria Gerring ‘22 are the team behind “Trivium.”
“It strikes me that it is indeed providential that the four of us have begun Trivium Magazine, says Rachel. “Though we all individually have many of the skills needed to work on a print magazine, the unique harmony that each of our experiences and interests bring to the table have made this dream come to fruition.”
For Mikaela, she sees Trivium as an important means of showing how Catholics are meant to communicate with each other.
“I majored in theology at Christendom,” says Mikaela, who also works as director of marketing at Elegant Peak, a website development and marketing company. “I found that my faith was profoundly shaped by the writings of the saints and theologians which led me to focus on the question of how we communicate as beings made in the image and likeness of God in my senior thesis — a concept we are putting into action through our efforts with Trivium Magazine.”
Rachel, like Mikaela, was also profoundly impacted by her education and believes it directly impacted the mission of Trivium.
“My Christendom education has helped me to see that so much of the confusion we see in society today stems from a rejection of faith and reason at various points in the course of history,” says Rachel. “Learning about theological heresies, important events in history, and modern and recent philosophers has helped to give context to where we are today. Understanding who we are, what we are called to do, and our final end in Heaven gives me hope and courage in the face of the struggles we face in the world today. The mission of Trivium Magazine is directly related to this understanding of the past, perseverance in the present, and hope for the future.”
Looking ahead, the founders of Trivium already have themes chosen for the next three issues and are eager to begin work on the next edition of the magazine. For Rachel, the magazine is a dream come true and a testament to the importance of courage, trust, and prayer.
“Trivium Magazine” is now available for subscription, offering readers a quarterly dose of inspiration and a reminder of the beauty found in faith, hope, and love.
“Since starting Trivium Magazine, I have come to realize the importance of having the courage to work on bringing your dreams into reality,” Gerring reflected. “When we first began exploring the idea of starting a print magazine, we had no idea how exactly it would come together. But with prayer, perseverance, and a leap of faith, Trivium started to take shape, eventually becoming a real community effort that grew beyond us.”
“Trivium Magazine” is now available for subscription, offering readers a quarterly dose of inspiration and a reminder of the beauty found in faith, hope, and love.
For more information or to subscribe to “Trivium Magazine,” visit their website at www.triviummagazine.com.