Pierre Fourier, called also Pierre de Ma-taincourt, a French religious reformer and founder, born at Mirecourt, Lorraine, Nov. 30, 1565, died in Gray, Franche-Comte, Dec. 9, 1640. After having graduated in the university of Pont-a-Mousson, he became a canon regular of the order of Premontre in the abbey of Chamousey, near Epinal. In 1595, the persecutions of the degenerate monks having forced him to leave the abbey, he was appointed at his own request pastor of the parish of Ma-taincourt, where his zeal for the education of the poor and his exemplary life soon produced wonderful fruits. He opened a school in his residence, established free schools in the most populous localities, and laid the foundations of the congregation of Notre Dame for the education of young girls. This society was confirmed by Paul V. Oct. 6, 1616, and soon spread all over France and into Canada. In 1621 he was associated by Gregory XV. with Jean de Porcelet, bishop of Toul, for the purpose of effecting a reform of the order of Premontre. Having persuaded the canons of St. Mary in Pont-a-Mousson to enter into the views of the pope, Fourier went with them to the abbey of St. Remi in Luneville, where after the ordinary novitiate they bound themselves by solemn vows to a new congregation called St. Saviour, one of whose main obligations was to educate Christian youth.

In a few years there were nine houses of these reformed canons, and in 1632 Fourier was elected superior general. The king of France having taken possession of Lorraine in 1634, Fourier and his followers were compelled to seek an asylum in Franche-Comte. They settled in Gray, and there Fourier continued to labor with ever-increasing energy and fruit until his death. He was beatified Jan. 29, 1730, and is generally spoken of as Blessed Peter Fourier. The order was suppressed at the revolution. Of late years an effort has been made to restore the canons regular of Premontre with the rule of Fourier. The sisterhood of Notre Dame (not to be confounded with the sisters of Notre Dame de Namur) in America has its central house in Montreal, and possesses flourishing establishments in New England and Chili.