Congregation of St. Basil
Encyclopedia
The Basilian Fathers, also known as The Congregation of Saint Basil, is an international order of Catholic
priest
s and students studying for the priesthood, who focus on education and ministering through oratories.
The patron saint is Saint Basil the Great.
After the closing of Catholic seminaries during the French Revolution
, a clandestine school was established by two priests in the central part of the country. After the relevant French laws were relaxed and after several years of operation, the congregation was founded in 1822 by a group of ten priests in order to ensure the continuation of the school, then operating in Annonay
. The members of the new order devoted themselves to Christian education, preaching, evangelization, and embraced the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Eventually, changes in French
law led to the closing of the congregation's schools in France; however, it was by then well established in Canada
and the United States
.
Its history in Canada began in Toronto
, which has become one of the congregation's largest centres. The city is home to the University of St. Michael's College
(USMC) at the University of Toronto
, and St. Michael's College School
, as well as two Basilian parishes: St. Basil and Holy Rosary. The Cardinal Flahiff Centre, a Basilian retirement home, is on the USMC campus. The order also founded Assumption College, now Assumption University, federated with the University of Windsor
, St. Thomas More College, federated with the University of Saskatchewan
, and St. Joseph's College
, affliliated with the University of Alberta
. The Basilian Fathers also founded St. Thomas College (later St. Thomas University (New Brunswick)
) in Chatham, N.B., in 1910, and remained there until 1923, when the college was transferred to the local diocesan clergy.
It has also established parishes and schools in Colombia
and Mexico
, and is affiliated with a health care centre in Colombia.
In the United States, the Basilian Fathers founded and operate St. Thomas High School
and the University of St. Thomas
both of which are in Houston, Texas
.
The Basilians also opened and run the Michigan Catholic high school, Detroit Catholic Central High School
, and Andrean High School
in Merrillville, Indiana
. They co-sponsor Detroit Cristo Rey High School
with the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
.
In 2007 the group became an addition sponsor to the Christian Peacemaker Teams.
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
s and students studying for the priesthood, who focus on education and ministering through oratories.
The patron saint is Saint Basil the Great.
After the closing of Catholic seminaries during the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, a clandestine school was established by two priests in the central part of the country. After the relevant French laws were relaxed and after several years of operation, the congregation was founded in 1822 by a group of ten priests in order to ensure the continuation of the school, then operating in Annonay
Annonay
Annonay is a commune in the north of the Ardèche department in the Rhône-Alpes region in southern France. It is the most populous commune in the Ardèche department, although it is not the capital, which resides in the smaller town of Privas.-Geography:...
. The members of the new order devoted themselves to Christian education, preaching, evangelization, and embraced the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Eventually, changes in French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
law led to the closing of the congregation's schools in France; however, it was by then well established in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Its history in Canada began in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, which has become one of the congregation's largest centres. The city is home to the University of St. Michael's College
University of St. Michael's College
The University of St. Michael's College is a college of the University of Toronto, founded in 1852 by the Congregation of St. Basil of Annonay, France. While mainly an undergraduate college for liberal arts and sciences, St. Michael's retains its Roman Catholic affiliation through its postgraduate...
(USMC) at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, and St. Michael's College School
St. Michael's College School
St. Michael's College School is a private, all-boys Roman Catholic day school in Toronto, Canada. Currently administered by the Basilian Fathers, it is the largest school of its kind in Canada, with an enrollment of approximately 1,080 students from grades 7 to 12. St...
, as well as two Basilian parishes: St. Basil and Holy Rosary. The Cardinal Flahiff Centre, a Basilian retirement home, is on the USMC campus. The order also founded Assumption College, now Assumption University, federated with the University of Windsor
University of Windsor
The University of Windsor is a public comprehensive and research university in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's southernmost university. It has a student population of approximately 15,000 full-time and part-time undergraduate students and over 1000 graduate students...
, St. Thomas More College, federated with the University of Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...
, and St. Joseph's College
St. Joseph's College, Edmonton
St. Joseph's College is a Catholic, undergraduate, liberal arts college that also serves as a residence and place of worship for the Catholic community on campus...
, affliliated with the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
. The Basilian Fathers also founded St. Thomas College (later St. Thomas University (New Brunswick)
St. Thomas University (New Brunswick)
St. Thomas University is jointly a public and Roman Catholic liberal arts university located in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. It offers degrees exclusively at the undergraduate level for approximately 3,000 students in the liberal arts, humanities, journalism, education, and social work....
) in Chatham, N.B., in 1910, and remained there until 1923, when the college was transferred to the local diocesan clergy.
It has also established parishes and schools in Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, and is affiliated with a health care centre in Colombia.
In the United States, the Basilian Fathers founded and operate St. Thomas High School
St. Thomas High School
St. Thomas High School is a Roman Catholic university preparatory school for young men in Houston, Texas, United States. Founded in 1900, St. Thomas is the second oldest continuously operating private high school in Houston behind Incarnate Word Academy, which was founded in 1873. The school is...
and the University of St. Thomas
University of St. Thomas (Houston)
The University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas, United States is a comprehensive Catholic university, grounded in the liberal arts...
both of which are in Houston, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
The Basilians also opened and run the Michigan Catholic high school, Detroit Catholic Central High School
Detroit Catholic Central High School
Detroit Catholic Central High School is a private, Catholic, all-male, college preparatory high school in Novi, Michigan. Founded in 1928 in Detroit, Michigan by the Archdiocese of Detroit, the school is operated by the Congregation of St. Basil...
, and Andrean High School
Andrean High School
Andrean High School is a coeducational Catholic college preparatory school located in Merrillville, Indiana. The school was founded in 1959, and named after the first bishop of the diocese of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gary, Andrew Grutka...
in Merrillville, Indiana
Merrillville, Indiana
Merrillville is a town in Ross Township, Lake County, Indiana, United States. The population was 35,246 at the 2010 census. Merrillville is located in the east-central portion of Lake County.-Geography:Merrillville is located at ....
. They co-sponsor Detroit Cristo Rey High School
Detroit Cristo Rey High School
Detroit Cristo Rey High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Detroit, Michigan. The school opened in August, 2008 with an initial freshman class of about 100 students, and operates within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit...
with the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary are a Catholic teaching order for women. It is divided among three separate congregations. The original community of the order is headquartered in Monroe, Michigan. The Mother house currently houses more than 400 sisters, more than 100 of which...
.
In 2007 the group became an addition sponsor to the Christian Peacemaker Teams.