Congregation of St. Basil

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For other Basilian orders, see Basilian (disambiguation).
Congregation of St. Basil
Congregatio a Sancto Basilio
AbbreviationCSB
NicknameBasilians
FormationNovember 21, 1822; 201 years ago (1822-11-21)
Founders
List
  • Fr. Joseph Bovier Lapierre, C.S.B.
  • Fr. Pierre Tourvieille, C.S.B.
  • Fr. Jacques Vincent Duret, C.S.B.
  • Fr. André Fayolle, C.S.B.
  • Fr. Henri Martinesche, C.S.B.
  • Fr. Jean-François Pagès, C.S.B.
  • Fr. Augustin Payan, C.S.B.
  • Fr. Jean-Baptiste Polly, C.S.B.
  • Fr. Julien Tracol, C.S.B.
  • Fr. Jean-Antoine Vallon, C.S.B.
Founded atAnnonay, France
TypeClerical religious congregation of pontifical right for men
Headquarters360 Davenport Rd,
Superior-general
Fr. Kevin J. Storey, C.S.B.
Patron saints
List
  • St. John Bosco
Ministry
Educational and parochial works
Websitebasilian.org
Formerly called
Teaching Priests of the Ardèche

The Congregation of St. Basil (

Roman Catholic clerical religious congregation of Pontifical Right for men (priests, seminarians and lay associates). It is an apostolic community whose members profess simple vows.[1] The Basilians seek the glory of God, especially in the works of education and evangelization. The congregation was founded in 1822 in the aftermath of the French Revolution. In the early 19th century the Basilian Fathers' educational and pastoral work brought them to a variety of locations in Canada and the United States. In the 1960s, the priests began to minister in Mexico, and in Colombia in the 1980s.[2]

History

Founding

Amid the turmoil and persecution of the Catholic Church during the

Archbishop of Vienne, Charles-François d’Aviau Du Bois-de-Sanzay, encouraged Joseph Lapierre to take over the Catholic education of boys in the isolated hill commune of Saint-Symphorien-de-Mahun, Ardèche department.[3] Despite difficulties, the school grew, and in 1800, when the political climate was more favourable, the archbishop asked Lapierre to also educate candidates for the priesthood. With the addition of Joseph Marie Actorie as director, a minor seminary was founded. Increased growth made it necessary to find a new location, and in 1802 the school moved to Annonay
in southern France at the suggestion of Henri Léorat-Picansel, a pastor who had previously been in Saint-Symphorien-de-Mahun.

Early Basilian teachers

Ten men, priests and students for the priesthood, formed the staff of the school. In the ensuing years, school enrollment grew to over 300 students, and auxiliary institutions were established nearby. In the years leading up to 1820, changing French educational laws and changing church administration meant falling enrollment. The newly appointed bishop suggested that if they formed an association and bought the property of a nearby school, Maisonseule, that they would have his support. This “coincided with a desire for closer religious life already shown by several of the priests teaching in the college.” Around 1820, Abbot Bernardin Fustier purchased the Chateau de Maisonseule.[4][5]

On November 21, 1822, the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lady, the congregation's first general chapter was held. Joseph Lapierre was unanimously elected superior by the nine other priests. “To these men he was the very symbol of their determination that this work should not fail.” The schools became known for their range of teaching including humanities, rhetoric, philosophy, mathematics, physics and chemistry.

Previously known as the Teaching Priests of the Ardèche, the founders chose

St. Basil as their namesake. Their new school, Maisonseule, was in the Parish of St. Basil, but he was also an appropriate choice because he was “a monastic founder, a preacher and an author of a treatise on the study of pagan classics.”[6]

Other patrons of the Basilians are the

St. John Bosco
.

The ten founding priests were:

  • André Fayolle
    André Fayolle

France

In their early years, the Basilians were not a religious congregation in the canonical sense. They were an association or society of secular priests willing to live in community and pool their resources to support Christian education and preaching.

poverty, chastity and obedience
until later. In the early years, boundaries were somewhat fluid on membership in the association, based on who lived in the community and taught at the schools at any time.

The early years of the Basilian congregation were full of challenges. The local bishop, who was prepared to suppress the congregation, died the night before signing a decree.

Pius IX in 1863.[19]
During the French Third Republic, Catholic schools were again a target, this time of the Socialists who were determined to secularize education. The decrees of 1880 targeted Jesuits but affected all teaching orders including the Basilians, and as a result of the persecution they were forced to close one of their schools in 1881 and one of their houses.[20]

The French government finally suppressed all religious orders in what was known as “La loi de Combes” in 1905. The Basilian confrères were dispersed and their property was sold at auction. The religious life of the Basilian Fathers in France was suspended for twenty years, a blow from which they never recovered.[21]

Canada

The Basilians first came to Canada in 1850 at the invitation of Bishop

St. Thomas University (New Brunswick) in Chatham, New Brunswick, was founded by the Basilians in 1910, and in 1923 the college was transferred to the local diocesan clergy. Toronto remains one of the largest centers for the Congregation and is home to the Basilian Curial Offices and the Cardinal Flahiff Basilian Centre.[26]

On April 30, 2020, the

Canadian Supreme Court rejected an appeal from the Basilian Fathers of Toronto to deny a $2.6 million settlement to sex abuse victim Rod MacLeod.[27][28]

Division and reunion

Discussion between the congregation in France and North America resulted in the amicable decree of separation in June 1922 creating two separate religious congregations, each with their own constitutions.[29]

The French and North American branches were reunited in 1955, an occasion celebrated in Annonay.

United States

The Basilian Fathers have been active in the United States since the last half of the nineteenth century. The first Basilian ministry in the United States was in Louisville,

New Gulf, Bay City, Angleton, Freeport and Eagle Lake. The work in Texas also served as the platform for Basilian mission work in Mexico and Colombia
.

The Basilians also opened Detroit Catholic Central High School in 1928 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 1937, the Basilians took over

St. John Fisher College
in the same city. The Basilians are no longer a sponsor, but maintain strong links to both The Aquinas Institute and St. John Fisher University (renamed in 2022).

Latin America

The Basilians started missions to Mexico in 1961 and Colombia in 1987. The Basilian Fathers have served in

Tehuacán, Puebla, Mexico; and Bogotá, Cali, and Medellín
, Colombia. The congregation established parishes and schools in Colombia and Mexico, and is affiliated with St. Basil's Medical Centre in Colombia.

Present

Today, the Basilians practice their ministry of teaching and preaching within parishes, campus ministry, schools, and colleges located in Canada, United States, Mexico, and Colombia. They are currently located at:

Formation

The Basilian formation process consists of four basic steps that occur over a period of approximately seven years:

  1. Associate: This stage gives a candidate the opportunity to get to know the Basilians and allows the Basilians to get to know him. It can occur while a candidate is in high school, college, or working-. Generally, most associates spend their last associate year living in a Basilian community, thus indicating a stronger desire to commit to the Basilian way of life.
  2. Novice: This stage marks another important step of a person's journey into religious life. The novitiate lasts for one year and a day, as prescribed by canon law. It is a year away from friends, family, work, and most things familiar to our everyday life so that the novice may build a strong foundation of prayer and spirituality for the rest of his life as a Basilian. At the end of this year, the novice may profess first (temporary) vows.
  3. Scholastic: At this stage the candidate is living in temporary vows and engaged in three to four years of theological study. Alongside their theological studies, scholastics are engaged in various pastoral ministries during the year and often travel on assignment each summer. These ministries and assignments are tailored to the individual's interests and capabilities.
  4. Supervised Ministry: The Basilians consider the first year of ordination an important stage in the formation process as it is often the most challenging period for new deacons and priests. This serves as an adjustment period to the work of the priesthood in a Basilian apostolate.[31]

Coat of Arms

The Basilian coat of arms was developed in the late 19th century.[32] Its main components are the founding date of the congregation (1822); the congregation's motto in Latin; and a shield bearing four symbols. The four symbols and their meanings are: a chalice, representing the Blessed Sacrament; an open book, representing knowledge; a fleur-de-lis representing both the Blessed Virgin and the French origins of the Basilians; and a Greek cross, representing Christ and honoring St. Basil, the Greek patron of the congregation. The motto, which is translated as "teach me goodness, discipline, and knowledge", is often seen on the logos of Basilian schools around the world.[33]

Superiors general

  1. Fr. Joseph B. Lapierre (1822-1838)
  2. Fr. Pierre Tourvielle (1838-1859)
  3. Fr. Julien Actorie (1859-1864)
  4. Fr. Jean-Mathieu Soulerin (1865-1879)
  5. Fr. Adrien Fayolle (1879-1898)
  6. Fr. Noel Durand (1898-1910)
  7. Fr. Victorin Marijon (1910-1914)
  8. Fr. James Frederick Players (1914-1922)
  9. Fr. Robert Francis Forster (1922-1929)
  10. Fr. Henry Carr (1930-1942)
  11. Fr. Edmund J. McCorkell (1942-1954)
  12. Cardinal
    George Bernard Flahiff
    (1954-1961)
  13. Fr. Joseph Charles Wey (1961-1973)
  14. Fr. Thomas James Hanrahan (1973-1981)
  15. Fr. Ulysse Ernest Pare (1981-1989)
  16. Fr. Robert Joseph Barringer (1993-1997)
  17. Bishop Ronald Peter Fabbro (1997-2002)
  18. Fr. Kenneth John Decker (2002-2010)
  19. Fr. George Terence Smith (2010-2018)
  20. Fr. Kevin J. Storey (2018–present)

Notable Basilians

  • David Bauer, Canadian amateur hockey advocate and Olympic hockey coach[34]
  • Henry Carr, made significant contributions to Catholic education in Canada including broadening the curriculum at St. Michael's College's high school department so its graduates could qualify for admission to university and arranging for St. Michael's College to become a federated arts college in the university, a model that was copied by other Catholic institutions in English-speaking Canada.[35]
  • Ronald Peter Fabbro, Bishop of London, Ontario, 2002–present
  • George Bernard Flahiff
    , Archbishop of Winnipeg, 1961–1982
  • Eugene Carlisle LeBel, influential administrator of Assumption College, Windsor, and later University of Windsor.
  • M. Owen Lee, American classics and music scholar, who was well known for his contributions as an intermission commentator, pianist, and quiz panelist on the Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts.
  • Ulysse Paré, Superior General of the Congregation from 1981 to 1989, under his leadership the Basilians expanded their ministry to Colombia.[36]
  • John Michael Miller
    , Coadjutor Archbishop of Vancouver, 2007–2009 and Archbishop of Vancouver, 2009–Present
  • Denis T. O'Connor
    , Bishop of London, Ontario, 1890–1899 and Archbishop of Toronto, 1899–1908
  • Ricardo Ramírez, Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio, Texas, 1981–1982 and Bishop of Las Cruces, New Mexico, 1982–2013
  • Thomas Rosica, CEO of the Salt + Light Television network
  • Jean-Mathieu Soulerin, Superior of the Basilian Order and founder of the University of St. Michael's College
  • Charles Vincent, early administrator of the University of St. Michael's College

References

  1. ^ Basilian Way of Life. 2013. p. 1.
  2. ^ "About Us". Basilian Fathers. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  3. ^ Kirley, Kevin J. (November 21, 2014). 1922 Before and After A Short History of the Congregation of St. Basil 1822-2014. p. 3.
  4. ^ "Patrimoine d'Ardèche : Château de Maisonseule".
  5. ^ Mollier, P.-H. (1893). "Saints et pieux personnages du Vivarais".
  6. ^ Hanrahan, James (1973). The Basilian Fathers (1822-1972). Toronto: The Basilian Press. pp. 1–8.
  7. ISBN 0-8020-3949-9
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  10. ISBN 0-8020-3949-9
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  11. ISBN 0-8020-3949-9
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  12. ISBN 0-8020-3949-9
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  13. ISBN 0-8020-3949-9
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  14. ISBN 0-8020-3949-9
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  15. ISBN 0-8020-3949-9
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  16. ISBN 0-8020-3949-9
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  17. ^ Kirley, Kevin J. (November 21, 2014). 1922 Before and After A Short History of the Congregation of St. Basil 1822-2014. p. 7.
  18. ^ Kirley, Kevin J. (November 21, 2014). 1922 Before and After A Short History of the Congregation of St. Basil 1822-2014. p. 9.
  19. ^ Kirley, Kevin J. (November 21, 2014). 1922 Before and After A Short History of the Congregation of St. Basil 1822-2014. p. 13.
  20. ^ Kirley, Kevin J. (November 21, 2014). 1922 Before and After A Short History of the Congregation of St. Basil 1822-2014. p. 14.
  21. ^ Kirley, Kevin J. (November 21, 2014). 1922 Before and After A Short History of the Congregation of St. Basil 1822-2014. p. 17.
  22. ISBN 0-8020-3949-9
    .
  23. ISBN 0-8020-3949-9
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  24. ^ "Basilian Fathers". St. Michael's College School. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  25. ^ Kirley, Kevin J. (November 21, 2014). 1922 Before and After A Short History of the Congregation of St. Basil 1822-2014. p. 16.
  26. ^ "Contact Us". Basilian Fathers. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  27. ^ Molnar, Dale (April 30, 2020). "Supreme court denies Basilian Fathers appeal to sexual abuse lawsuit". CBC News. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  28. ^ Ghobrial, Adrian; Bruno, Jessica (April 30, 2020). "Supreme Court rejects Catholic order's appeal of $2.6M sex abuse award". CityNews. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  29. ^ Kirley, Kevin J. (November 21, 2014). 1922 Before and After A Short History of the Congregation of St. Basil 1822-2014. p. 26.
  30. ^ "Locations". Basilian Fathers. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  31. ^ "The Formation Process". Basilian Fathers. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  32. ^ "The Basilian Crest". Basilian Fathers. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
  33. ^ "The Basilian Crest". basilian.org. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  34. ^ Shea, Kevin (March 13, 2009). "Spotlight - One on One with Father David Bauer". Legends of Hockey. Archived from the original on November 27, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  35. ISBN 0-8020-3949-9
    .
  36. ^ The Basilian Annals 2015 (Volume 13 Number 1 ed.). p. 77.

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