Our Founder
The Congregation of Holy Cross joyously celebrates the life of its founder, Blessed Basil Moreau, on January 20 every year. Born Basile-Antoine Marie Moreau (Basil Anthony Marie Moreau in English) in Laigné-en-Belin, in the diocese of Le Mans, France, on February 11, 1799, he would be forever affected by the spiritual upheaval caused by the French Revolution. Church property was seized, priests were executed and arrested and religious communities were expelled from France. Basil Moreau’s hope was to fill this vast spiritual and educational gap.In 1821, Moreau was ordained a priest for the diocese, later becoming a seminary professor, teaching philosophy and theology while enthusiastically continuing his pastoral duties. By 1835, Moreau had organized a group of young and energetic “auxiliary priests” whose mission was to travel the diocese, assisting in educational and spiritual growth programs at parishes. That same year, Bishop Jean-Baptiste Bouvier asked him to oversee the Brothers of St. Joseph, a group of educators founded by Rev. Jacques-François Dujarié.
Two years later on March 1, 1837, Fr. Moreau merged the priests and brothers and the association took its name from the small French town outside of Le Mans from which it was based, Sainte-Croix. The new order’s name became Congregatio a Sancta Cruce (hence the initials C.S.C.), which literally means “Congregation of Holy Cross.”The Cross soon became an integral part of his community’s spirituality. The motto of the congregation is Ave Crux, Spes Unica, which means “Hail the Cross, Our Only Hope” — calling on the community to “learn how even the Cross can be borne as a gift.”Blessed Moreau’s vision was to complete and maximize the spiritual vigor of this association — to give it “one heart, one soul” — by modeling it after the Holy Family and bringing into it a group of sisters who would also be involved in education and evangelization.Reflecting his association’s zeal to make God known, loved and served, Moreau started sending members to other countries, including Algeria, Canada, Bangladesh and the United States. He sent seven young men — six brothers and Rev. Edward Sorin — to the United States, where in 1842, they founded the University of Notre Dame. In 1857, the Holy See officially declared Moreau’s group to be a religious congregation and the Congregation of Holy Cross was born. Moreau died on Jan. 20, 1873, and was beatified on Sept. 15, 2007.
See History Timeline
history of the Congregation of Holy Cross:
Late 18th Century
French Revolution
The French Revolution brings upheaval to French society, including the Church. Church property is seized, priests are arrested and executed, and religious communities are expelled.
Early 19th Century
Formation of the Brothers of St. Joseph
Fr. Jacques Dujarié, an underground seminarian during the French Revolution, gathers young men to instruct youth in the faith. These young men become the Brothers of St. Joseph.
1835
Transition of Leadership
As Fr. Dujarié's health declines, he turns over the leadership of the brothers to Fr. Basil Moreau, a young and energetic priest from the Diocese of Le Mans.
1837
Formation of Holy Cross
Fr. Moreau merges the Brothers of St. Joseph with a group of “Auxiliary Priests” he had organized. He names this new group Holy Cross (Congregatio a Sancta Cruce - CSC) after the neighborhood in Le Mans where the group was formed.
1841
Addition of Laywomen
Fr. Moreau adds a group of laywomen to Holy Cross, envisioning a holy family modeled on the Holy Family of Jesus, Joseph, and Mary. He establishes Our Lady of Sorrows as the patroness of the entire congregation.
Mid-19th Century
Expansion
Holy Cross expands its mission beyond France, sending priests, brothers, and sisters to Algeria, the United States, Canada, and East Bengal (present-day India and Bangladesh).
1857
Vatican Approval
The Congregation of Holy Cross receives official approval from Rome when its first Constitutions are accepted.
Spirituality
Ave Crux, Spes Unica
The motto of the Congregation of Holy Cross is "Ave Crux, Spes Unica" (Hail the Cross, Our Only Hope). Members live and minister as "men with hope to bring," inspired by the conviction that Jesus has redeemed the world through His Holy Cross.
Contact Us
THE BROTHERS OF HOLYCROSS,
47, St. Marks’ Road ,
Bengaluru
Karnataka.India