The Brothers of Holy CrossEric Morgel, Hali Levandoski, Matt Vanisacker

Mrs. BilerLifestyles

25 May 2012

Founded in 1837 in France by Blessed Fr. Basil Moreau, CSC During this time, the French Church was oppressed by the revolutionaries. The Congregation of Holy Cross began as members of the Brothers of St.

Joseph and a group of Auxiliary Priests. The Congregation includes both Brothers of Holy Cross and Priests of Holy

Cross. Four years later, Blessed Fr. Moreau founded the Marianites of Holy Cross,

a female religious order. Eventually, the Order began missionary work in Europe, Algeria,

Canada, the United States and Eastern Bengal (Bangladesh). In 1841, the Brothers of Holy Cross founded the University of Notre

Dame. In 1944, the Brothers of Holy Cross founded Monroe Catholic Central

(now St. Mary Catholic Central).

History

Congregation of Holy Cross

founded in 1837 by Blessed Fr. Moreau, CSC

Founding of the University of

Notre Dame in 1841

Monroe Catholic Central founded

in 1944.

Timeline

Father Basil Moreau C.S.C. Was born in France February 11, 1799

in a small town near Le Mans. He grew up amidst turmoil of the

French Revolution As a young man he was religious and

felt called to restore the church that was destroyed during the civil war.

In 1821 he was ordained a priest and later became a seminary professor.

Founder

Founder

In 1835 he organized a group of young priests called “auxiliary priests”

In 1835 he was asked to oversee the Brothers of Saint Joseph, a recently founded group of educators

In 1837 he merged the Brothers and the priests and the association took of the name of the city where it was based Sainte-Croix or Holy Cross

They live together with other men who share common beliefs. That one should live a life devoted to faith and do service for others.

They live in a community of brothers; in good times or in bad times they can always rely on each other to be there.

They try to be present in the communities in which they serve. They make themselves constantly available to the people.

Characteristics

Members live a dynamic spiritual life and have both inward contemplation about faith and outwardly express their faith through service to others.

They strive to bring hope to other people around the world.

Characteristics

Process to Join

Step 1: To begin you must attend a one year information session where

you reside within a Holy Cross community and experience a life of

study, prayer, and ministry.

Step 2: Upon completing the first year program the candidate applies

for admission to the novitiate, which I collaborative program for all Holy

Cross brother novices in the United States. During this spiritual year you will be further educated and trained

in styles of prayer and meditation and the skills necessary for living the

vowed life in common, in apostolic service and in the history and character of the Holy Cross.

Step 3: At the end of novitiate you will make your temporary vows

including celibacy and poverty. After professing vows as a new Brother you

will be assigned to ministry or to studies. You will remain under

temporary vows for three to six years and then will take your perpetual

vows within the congregation of the Holy Cross.

Monks of the Order follow a threefold vow of obedience, stability, and conversion to the Monastic way of life.

In general, monks of the Order are encouraged to develop their own ministries within their monastic vocation.

Lifestyle of Holy Cross

The mission of the Brothers of the Holy Cross is to educate youth in schools.

They have mission centers in East Africa, Peru, Chile, Mexico, India, Brazil, West Africa and the Philippines.

Mission of Holy Cross

The Brothers of the Holy Cross have founded many high schools and universities.

Some of these include: Holy Cross College, The University of Notre Dame and St. Mary Catholic Central High School.

Impact of Holy Cross

In addition to being the founders of the University of Notre Dame, the Brothers of Holy Cross also support: St. Edward’s College, Austin, Texas

Interesting Facts

St. André Besset, CSC is the first Brother from the Order to reach sainthood. He was a humble doorkeeper in Canada who

had the gift of healing. He was canonized on October 17, 2010.

Saints and Leaders

The founder of the Order, Blessed Fr. Basil Moreau, CSC, is currently waiting to be canonized. He was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on

September 15, 2007. The Superior General of the Brothers today is

Fr. Richard V. Warner, CSC

Saints and Leaders

In modern times, the Brothers have expanded their missionary work into the following areas: District of East Africa District of West Africa District of Brazil

Recent Times

"Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers." Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers. Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers. Web. 24 May 2012.

"The Brothers of Holy Cross :: Extraordinary Lives, Bringing Hope To Others." The Brothers of Holy Cross :: Extraordinary Lives, Bringing Hope To Others. The Brothers of Holy Cross. Web. 24 May 2012.

Sources