Who we are
Discover the fundamental values (our Charism) that shape our mission and how we approach our life of Ministry, Service, and Prayer.
OUR origin
The Congregation of St. Basil, also known as the Basilian Fathers, is a Roman Catholic community of priests, students for the priesthood, and lay associates focused on Christian education and evangelization.
We were founded in 1822, when ten diocesan priests defied anticlerical laws passed during the French Revolution to bring balanced Christian education to a small village in southern France by operating a seminary. The founders’ devotion to the Church, simplicity of their life, and a call to deeper community life continue to inspire the priests of St. Basil today.
Our founders chose St. Basil the Great as their patron, a fourth-century (330-379 AD) Greek Bishop and Doctor of the Church, known for his special care of the poor and underprivileged. Like our founders, St. Basil lived at the end of a period of persecution.

our charism
The Basilian motto in Latin is Bonitatem et disciplinam et scientiam doce me (“Teach me goodness, discipline, and knowledge”), derived from Psalm 119 (originally Psalm 118). In the late 19th century, Father Charles Vincent CSB, one of the founders of St. Michael’s College in Toronto, Ontario, introduced the motto to the Congregation. Many Basilian institutions have since adopted it as their own, using it to guide their vision for Catholic education.
“Teach me” is a call to learn from God, a request to develop the virtues necessary to serve, lead, and inspire others. For the Basilian Fathers, this means continually seeking growth in goodness, discipline, and knowledge to serve the Church and wider community effectively.
Within Basilian schools, “Teach me” applies to teachers, staff, and students alike. Educators model Catholic values while creating learning environments that nurture character, faith, and intellectual development. Students are encouraged to pursue excellence in academics and spirituality, preparing them for leadership roles in their communities and parishes. Families exploring Catholic schools for enrollment will find a commitment to holistic education that balances rigorous academics with moral and spiritual growth.
For those considering joining the Church, through RCIA, baptism, or becoming a priest, the principle of “Teach me” underscores a journey of learning, faith formation, and active participation in parish life. It emphasizes that becoming fully part of the Catholic community involves both knowledge and the practice of faith.
Goodness is the outward expression of faith through service, community, and moral leadership. In Catholic parishes and religious communities, Basilians live out goodness by collaborating to meet human needs, addressing challenges like poverty, social justice, and spiritual growth. Parishioners, clergy, and lay members work together to create welcoming and supportive communities.
Goodness also guides students and staff in Catholic schools where moral development and compassion are integrated into daily life. This ensures that students are not only academically capable but also equipped to make meaningful contributions to their families, parishes, and broader society.
In the context of Basilian life, discipline does not refer to a form of punishment but rather the faithful discipleship of Christ and an invitation to grow in freedom, love, knowledge, and holiness. The heart of Christian life for Basilians is the local house where we live together in brotherhood. As brothers, we worship, eat, and recreate together, not in a spirit of mere conformity but striving to be united heart and soul like the early Christian community.
Community life exists not only in the local houses but throughout the whole Congregation, where it is reflected in a sense of fellowship with what all Basilians are doing, an interest in the past and the future of the Community, and a willingness on the part of both individuals and local communities to make the sacrifices that will be necessary for the common good.
Knowledge is not restricted to sacred learning, but learning about anything in God’s creation. Our mission of Christian education and evangelization is lived out in our high schools, colleges and universities, parishes, and postolates. Our service to God is made real through our teaching and our dedication to sharing knowledge.
This has led to the formation of many educational institutions at the secondary and post-secondary levels. We have adapted ourselves to serve God’s people in many branches of education and research – especially in high schools, colleges, universities, graduate studies, and publications – as well as in other forms of priestly work, particularly in parishes, campus ministry, and missions.
The basilian Fathers
Who makes it all happen? We're glad you asked! No two Basilians are truly alike, and to us this is a very important asset. Our Fathers come from every part of the globe, from every background, every stage of life, and every one of them is fully dedicated to his call to serve Christ, the Church, and his community.
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