PRIESTS OF SAINT BASIL. — Toward the end of the 18th century, Monsignor d'Aviéu, Archbishop of Vienne, was concerned with preparing young priests to fill the gaps left by the French Revolution.
He entrusted this task to the parish priest of a village near Annonay, but after barely two years the candidates, having grown in number and being unable to remain in the small village, were transferred to Annonay, where the pious initiative took hold and began to bear good fruit. The conclusion of the Concordat with Napoleon allowed the work to consolidate, and in 1822 the priests entrusted with it, in order to ensure the guarantee and life of the foundation, decided to unite in a religious congregation with the full approval of the superior authorities. In 1837 the Holy See granted the decree of praise and temporarily approved their Constitutions. Development was very promising, and new houses were opened in other dioceses of France. In 1852 they moved to Canada, where growth was even greater. By decree of the Sacred Congregation of Religious of 14 June 1922, the two provinces of France and Canada were erected into distinct congregations. The Constitutions were definitively approved in 1937. The Priests of Saint Basil devote themselves to the instruction and education of youth and to parochial ministry. The Canadian congregation, with its general house in Toronto, today numbers 253 members in 12 houses, while the French congregation has 3 houses and 30 members with its general house in Viviers.