FATHERS OF SAINT EDMUND. - A religious congregation founded at Pontigny (France) in 1843 by Fr. Giovanni Battista Muard for the preaching of popular missions.
Initially they were also called *Pères de Pontigny*, or preaching Benedictines, because they were Benedictine Oblates. They also dedicate themselves to the education of male youth in seminaries and colleges, and direct pious associations in parishes. In 1900 they were expelled from France and transferred to Hitchin in England. On 15 May 1911 they were approved by the Holy See. After moving to the United States, they engaged in intense apostolic life and opened houses of missionary formation. The generalate is located in Winooski, Vermont. At present the Fathers of St Edmund number 102 with 10 houses.
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