The Basilian Fathers, also known as The Congregation of Saint Basil, is an international order of Roman Catholic priests and students studying for the priesthood.

Their patron saint is Saint Basil the Great.

After the closing of Catholic seminaries in France in 1822, a clandestine school was operated by two priests in central France. After the relevant French laws were relaxed the same year, the congregation was founded by a group of ten priests to ensure the continuation of the school, then operating in Annonay. The new order devoted themselves to Christian education, preaching, evangelization, as well as 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. In Canada it founded Assumption College, now, as Assumption University, federated with the University of Windsor. It has also established parishes and schools in Australia, Colombia, and Mexico, as well as a health care centre in Colombia. One of the congregation's largest centres is in Toronto, the home of University of St. Michael's College (USMC) at the University of Toronto and St. Michael's College School. The Cardinal Flahiff Centre, a Basilian retirement home, is also on the USMC campus.

External link

• Basilian Fathers' website