MAUR, ST., CONGREGATION OF, a celebrated society of Bene dictines in France, who professed to follow the primitive rule of that order. It was first established in 1618. Pope Gregory XV., at the instance of Louis XIII., gave it his approval by his brief dated 17th May, 1621 ; and Urban VIII. granted it new privileges by a bull dated 21st January, 1627. The report of the sanctity of this congregation induced several bishops, abbots, and monks to submit their monasteries to the direction of its superior, so that the congregation at last became divided into six provinces, of which each contained about twenty religious houses. The most considerable were, St. Denys, St. Germain des-Pres, St. Remi at Rheims, Marmoustier, St. Pierre de Corbie, Fleuri or St. Benoit sur Loire, Fescamp, and the Trinitd de Vendome.
The monks, beside the rule of St. Benedict, had other particular
statutes and constitutions, and were governed by a general-superior, assistants, and visitors, who held a general chapter every three years at Marmoustier. Those who have any acquaintance with the history and progress of learning in Europe will readily acknowledge the advantages which letters have derived from this famous congregation, whose researches took in the whole circle of sciences, philosophy excepted. Among its more eminent members in the 17th century may be enumerated Hugh Menard, Luc d'Acheri, Jean Mabillon, Thierri Ruinart, and Bernard de Montfaucon. Moreri gives a list of the general-superiors of this congregation from 1630 to 1756.
(Moreri, Diction. Historique tom. vii. ; Ilistoive Litteraire de la' on. gregation de Saint Maur, 1770, by Dom Tassin.)