Congregation of St. Basil founded in France (1820–1822)

The Congregation of St. Basil, a Catholic clerical religious congregation, was founded in France in 1822 in the aftermath of the French Revolution. Its emergence was tied to a desire for closer religious life among priests teaching in colleges, and Abbot Bernardin Fustier purchased the Chateau de Maisonseule around 1820. The congregation's first general chapter was held on November 21, 1822, though sources differ on the founding date and the Basilians were not yet a canonical congregation.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. In the years leading up to 1820, changing French educational laws and church administration caused falling enrollment. This situation coincided with a desire for closer religious life among priests teaching in colleges. Abbot Bernardin Fustier purchased the Chateau de Maisonseule around 1820, providing a physical base for the emerging community.

Founding. The congregation was founded in 1822 in the aftermath of the French Revolution. On November 21, 1822, the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lady, the congregation's first general chapter was held. In their early years, however, the Basilians were not a religious congregation in the canonical sense, and sources differ on the founding date.

Mission. The Basilians work in education and evangelization. The congregation's coat of arms includes a fleur-de-lis, representing both the Blessed Virgin and the French origins of the Basilians, alongside a chalice, an open book, and a Greek cross among its four symbols.

People involved

Sources

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