CONGREGATION, an assembly of persons, especially a body so assembled for religious worship, or habitually attending a particular church, and hence the basis of the religious system known as Congregationalism (q.v.) (Lat. congregatio, a gathering together, from cum, with, grex, a flock). In the English versions of the Bible "congregation" is used to translate Heb. 'eclah, the whole community of the Israelites, and kaheil, the assembly of the people ; but in the Revised Version "congregation" is kept for the first (LXX. aupa-yuryii) and "assembly" for the second (LXX. itcano-ta). In the Roman Church the word is used in several senses. ( I) The congregations or committees of the col lege of cardinals which form administrative departments, e.g., the congregations of Propaganda, Rites, etc. (see CURIA ROMANA). (2) The committees of bishops for the regulation of procedure at general councils. (3) The branches of a religious order, following its general rule, but forming separate groups, each with its own special constitution and observances. Thus the Trappists are a congregation of the Cistercian order, itself an offshoot of Bene dictine monasticism. (4) Communities of religious under rule, composed of persons who have taken no vows or have not taken "solemn" vows, such as the Oratorians, Oblates and Lazarists. (5) In France, religious associations of lay persons, male or fe male, for some pious, charitable or educational purpose (see