Genevieve, St, Canons of

Genevieve, St., Canons of called also canons regular of the Congregation of France, a congregation of canons regular (q.v.) established in 1614 by Charles Faure, a member of the abbey of St.Vincent of Senlis, who effected a reformation of the French canons which was soon adopted by several other abbeys. Cardinal de la Rochefoucauld, who in 1619 had been made abbot of the abbey of St. Genevieve du Mont at Paris, being desirous to reform his abbey, sent, in 1624, for twelve members of St.Vincent of Senlis, and made Faure its spiritual superior. In 1634 the pope confirmed the new congregation. Soon after its first chapter general was held, which was attended by the superiors of fifteen houses, and elected Faure coadjutor of the abbot of St. Genevieve and general of the congregation. The king had previously given up his right of nominating the abbot of St. Genevieve, and consented that he be elected every third year. Helyot, in his History of Religious Orders, states that at his time the congregations had in France 67 abbots, 28 priors, 2 provosts, and 3 hospitals, besides, in the Netherlands, 3 abbots and 3 priors. A large number of parishes were served by its members. It was customary to elect one of the chancellors of the University of Paris from this congregation. Helyot, Diet. des Ordres Relig., art. Genovefains. (A.J.S.)