Society of Saint Edmund
Encyclopedia
The Society of Saint Edmund is a religious congregation of the Catholic Church
founded in 1843, in Pontigny
, France
by Rev. Jean Baptiste Muard. They adhere to vows of chastity
, poverty
and obedience
. The order is named after Saint Edmund
.
The Society was formed to keep St. Edmund's memory and life alive through faithful service, for the work of popular missions. The members also devote themselves to parochial work, to the education of youth in seminaries and colleges, to the direction of pious associations, and to foreign missions.
Members of the Society, based in Pontigny, fled to the United States in 1889 after widespread anticlericalism seized France. The Society of St. Edmund settled in Winooski Park, Vermont, and established Saint Michael's College
in 1904 where the deeds and values of St. Edmund's life continue through fulfillment of the College's mission. The original motherhouse is at Pontigny, but since the expulsion of the religious orders the superior general resided at Hitchin, England.
In the early 20th century, the congregation had two houses in the United States: a missionary house and apostolic school at Swanton, Vermont, for the training of young men who wish to study for the priesthood and the religious life; and a college at Colchester, Vermont
, with 12 fathers, 8 scholastics, and 100 pupils. St. Michael's College
has since expanded to 2,000 undergraduates and 650 graduate students.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
founded in 1843, in Pontigny
Pontigny
Pontigny is a commune in the Yonne department in Burgundy in north-central France....
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
by Rev. Jean Baptiste Muard. They adhere to vows of chastity
Chastity
Chastity refers to the sexual behavior of a man or woman acceptable to the moral standards and guidelines of a culture, civilization, or religion....
, poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
and obedience
Vow of obedience
The Vow of Obedience in Catholicism concerns one of the three counsels of perfection. It forms part of the vows that Christian monks and nuns must make to enter the consecrated life, whether as a member of a religious institute living in community or as consecrated hermit...
. The order is named after Saint Edmund
Edmund Rich
Edmund Rich was a 13th century Archbishop of Canterbury in England...
.
The Society was formed to keep St. Edmund's memory and life alive through faithful service, for the work of popular missions. The members also devote themselves to parochial work, to the education of youth in seminaries and colleges, to the direction of pious associations, and to foreign missions.
Members of the Society, based in Pontigny, fled to the United States in 1889 after widespread anticlericalism seized France. The Society of St. Edmund settled in Winooski Park, Vermont, and established Saint Michael's College
Saint Michael's College
Saint Michael's College is a private, residential liberal arts Catholic college. The campus is located in Colchester, Vermont. It was founded in 1904 by the Society of Saint Edmund, a French order of Catholic priests.-History:...
in 1904 where the deeds and values of St. Edmund's life continue through fulfillment of the College's mission. The original motherhouse is at Pontigny, but since the expulsion of the religious orders the superior general resided at Hitchin, England.
In the early 20th century, the congregation had two houses in the United States: a missionary house and apostolic school at Swanton, Vermont, for the training of young men who wish to study for the priesthood and the religious life; and a college at Colchester, Vermont
Colchester, Vermont
Colchester is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 17,067 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth-largest municipality and second-largest town in Vermont by population.-Geography:...
, with 12 fathers, 8 scholastics, and 100 pupils. St. Michael's College
St. Michael's College
St. Michael's College may refer to:* Saint Michael's College, a private liberal arts college located in Colchester, Vermont, USA* St Michael's College, Adelaide, Australia, a private Roman Catholic primary and secondary school founded by the Lasallian Brothers* St...
has since expanded to 2,000 undergraduates and 650 graduate students.
External links
- Society of Saint Edmund Order website
- Saint Michael's College, established by the Society in 1904