Congregation of Holy Cross facts for kids
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Latin: Congregatio a Sancta Cruce
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| Abbreviation | CSC |
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| Formation | 1 March 1837 |
| Founder | Blessed Fr. Basile-Antoine Marie Moreau, C.S.C. |
| Founded at | Le Mans, France |
| Type | Clerical religious congregation of pontifical right for men |
| Headquarters | Via Framura 85, Rome, Italy |
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Membership
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1,399 members (includes 729 priests) as of 2020 |
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Motto
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Latin: Ave Crux Spes Unica English: Hail the Cross, Our Only Hope |
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Superior General
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Br. Paul Bednarczyk, CSC |
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Parent organization
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Catholic Church |
The Congregation of Holy Cross (also known as CSC) is a group of Catholic priests and brothers. It was started in 1837 by Basil Moreau in Le Mans, France. They are part of the Catholic Church and focus on education and helping people.
Basil Moreau also founded groups of sisters. These groups are now independent. They include the Marianites of Holy Cross, the Sisters of the Holy Cross, and the Sisters of Holy Cross.
Contents
History of Holy Cross
How Holy Cross Began
Basil Moreau was born in France in 1799. He became a priest in 1821. At that time, the French government tried to remove the Church from schools. This left many Catholic children without education.
In 1835, Moreau started a group called "Auxiliary Priests." They helped with education and sharing the faith in their area.
Around the same time, another priest, Jacques-Francois Dujarié, had a group called the Brothers of St. Joseph. They also worked to educate people in the countryside. In 1835, Dujarié asked Moreau to lead the Brothers of St. Joseph. So, Moreau was now in charge of two groups.
Joining Forces: The Association of Holy Cross
In 1837, Moreau decided to combine his two groups. He wanted the priests and brothers to work together and share resources. On March 1, 1837, they officially joined. They met in a church called Notre-Dame de Sainte-Croix in Le Mans. Because of this, their new group was named the Association of Holy Cross.
At first, they mainly served their local area. But in 1840, they were asked to start schools and a seminary in Algeria. This made Holy Cross a group that worked beyond its local area. Moreau and four others became the first official members of this new religious group. He also started the first group of women who would become the Marianites of Holy Cross.
The group grew quickly. In 1841, they sent members to the United States. They started their first school in North America at Notre Dame in Indiana. They also expanded to Canada in 1847 and East Bengal in 1852.
In 1857, Pope Pius IX officially approved the rules for the priests and brothers. This is when the Association officially became the Congregation of Holy Cross. The women's groups became separate communities. Moreau continued to work for the sisters' approval. In 1865, the Marianites of Holy Cross were also officially approved.
Holy Cross and The Holy Family
Basil Moreau believed that the Congregation of Holy Cross was like the Holy Family. He saw it as a group of religious men and women working together. He wanted them to help build God's kingdom.
He gave each part of the group a special patron:
- The priests were dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
- The brothers were dedicated to the pure heart of St. Joseph.
- The sisters were dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Moreau also chose Our Lady of Sorrows as a special patron for all of Holy Cross. Members still honor these devotions today. Moreau hoped that Holy Cross would "grow like a mighty tree." He wanted it to keep growing and spreading its work.
Leaders of Holy Cross
These are the main leaders, called Superiors General, of the Congregation of Holy Cross:
- Fr. Basil Moreau, CSC (1837–1866)
- Most Rev. Pierre Dufal, CSC (1866–1868)
- Fr. Edward Sorin, CSC (1868–1893)
- Fr. Gilbert Francais, CSC (1893–1926?)
- Fr. James Wesley Donahue, CSC (1926–1938)
- Fr. Albert Cousineau, CSC (1938–1950)
- Fr. Christopher O'Toole, CSC (1950–1962)
- Fr. Germain-Marie Lalande, CSC (1962–1974)
- Fr. Tom Barrosse, CSC (1974–1986)
- Fr. Claude Grou, CSC (1986–1998)
- Fr. Hugh Cleary, CSC (1998–2010)
- Fr. Richard Warner, CSC (2010–2016)
- Fr. Robert Epping, CSC (2016–2022)
- Br. Paul Bednarczyk, CSC (2022–present)
Holy Cross Around the World
The Congregation of Holy Cross has different groups called Provinces, Districts, and Vicariates. These help organize their work in various parts of the world.
- United States Province of Priests and Brothers (USA)
- District of Chile-Peru
- Midwest Province of Brothers (USA)
- Canadian Province of Priests and Brothers (Canada)
- Moreau Province (USA)
- District of Brazil
- Province of East Africa
- Province of West Africa
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Province (Bangladesh)
- St. Joseph Province (Bangladesh)
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Province (Haiti)
- Province of North East India
- South India Province
- Province of Tamil Nadu (India)
- St. Andre Province (India)
- Mother Province (France)
Famous Members of Holy Cross
Saints & Blesseds
- Saint André Bessette, CSC, known as the "Miracle Man of Montreal." He is the first recognized Saint from the institute.
- Blessed Basil Moreau, CSC, the founder of the Congregation.
Church Leaders
- Bishop Arthur "Bud" Colgan, CSC, a bishop in Peru.
- Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario, CSC, a former Archbishop in Bangladesh.
- Bishop George Joseph Finnigan, CSC, a former bishop in Montana.
- Archbishop Theotonius Amal Ganguly, CSC, a former Archbishop in Dhaka.
- Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, a bishop in Illinois.
- Bishop Jorge Izaguirre Rafael, CSC, a bishop in Peru.
- Bishop Vincent J. McCauley, CSC, the first Bishop of Fort Portal, Uganda.
- Archbishop Marcos G. McGrath, CSC, a former Archbishop of Panamá.
- Bishop Lumen Monteiro, CSC, the first Bishop of Agartala.
- John Francis Cardinal O'Hara, CSC, a former President of Notre Dame and Archbishop of Philadelphia.
- Bishop Yves-Marie Péan, CSC., a bishop in Haiti.
- Bishop Stephen Rotluanga, CSC, a bishop in Aizawl.
- Archbishop Charles Asa Schleck, CSC, a Titular Archbishop.
- Bishop William Albert Wack, CSC, a bishop in Florida.
- Bishop Paul E. Waldschmidt, CSC, a former President of the University of Portland and Auxiliary Bishop.
- Bishop Patrick Neary, CSC, a bishop in Saint Cloud.
- Archbishop James Hector MacDonald, CSC, a former Archbishop in Newfoundland.
Other Notable Members
- Fr. Gerald Fitzgerald, s.P., who founded another religious group.
- Fr. Theodore "Ted" Hesburgh, CSC, a long-time President of Notre Dame. He also chaired the United States Commission on Civil Rights.
- Br. Flavian LaPlante, CSC, a missionary.
- Fr. Julius Nieuwland, CSC, a professor and inventor.
- Venerable Fr. Patrick Peyton, CSC, known as "The Rosary Priest."
- Fr. John Zahm, CSC, a scientist and explorer.
- Fr. Richard William Timm, CSC, a missionary, educator, zoologist, and development worker.
Where Holy Cross Works
Holy Cross priests and brothers serve in many countries around the world. Here are some of them and when they first started working there:
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Holy Cross Missions Around the World
Holy Cross in Bangladesh
The first Holy Cross missionaries arrived in India in May 1853. They went to different areas, including Dhaka and Noakhali. Chittagong became their main base in December 1853.
At that time, the mission in East Bengal was very challenging. It was a huge area with few priests. When Holy Cross arrived, there were only about 13,000 Catholics. There was no church in Dhaka under Rome's authority.
Holy Cross in Chile
Holy Cross members arrived in Santiago, Chile, on March 1, 1943. They were invited to run Saint George's College. This school teaches students from first to twelfth grade.
Today, Saint George's College has 2,650 students. It has a rich history, including a time in the 1970s when the military government took over the school. Holy Cross returned in 1986. The college is known for strong faith education and community service. Many important leaders in Chile have graduated from this school.
Holy Cross also runs Colegio Nuestra Señora de Andacollo. This school serves about 1,100 students from working-class families. The school has improved a lot academically.
From the beginning, Holy Cross in Chile also worked in parishes and social service. They helped abandoned children. Today, they run two parishes and continue to help children through programs like Fundamor and Fundación Moreau.
Holy Cross in Mexico
Holy Cross began its work in Mexico in 1972. Fr. Frederick Schmidt, CSC, served as a pastor in Ahuacatlan for 25 years.
In 1987, Holy Cross took over a parish in Monterrey. This parish grew and led to a new one, Nuestra Madre Santisima de La Luz. Holy Cross now serves this new community.
Since 1993, Holy Cross has offered programs for young Mexican men interested in becoming priests or brothers.
In 1999, Holy Cross Family Ministries started Family Rosary in Mexico. They encourage families to pray, especially the rosary.
From 2000, they had a program for students from Holy Cross universities in the US. This program allowed them to experience life and ministry with the poor. It has been paused due to safety concerns.
In 2010, the first two Mexican Holy Cross priests, Fr. Marín Hernández and Fr. Paulino Antonio, were assigned to a parish in Tamán. They speak Nahuatl, the local language, which helps them connect with the community.
Holy Cross in Peru
The Holy Cross mission in Peru started in September 1963. They began in Cartavio and later expanded to Chimbote. They now have a strong presence in the Diocese of Chosica.
Their parish, El Señor de la Esperanza, is very large. It has about 250,000 Catholics and 19 chapels. In 1982, they started "Yancana Huasy" (meaning "House of Work"). This center helps children with physical and mental challenges and their families.
Holy Cross in Uganda
Four Holy Cross priests arrived in Entebbe, Uganda in November 1958. They began their ministry in Fort Portal and Butiti. They also started running St. Leo's College, a high school.
In 1960, they opened their first parish at Bukwali. In 1961, Vincent J. McCauley, a Holy Cross missionary, became the Bishop of Fort Portal.
By 1962, Holy Cross began accepting Ugandan members into the community. They helped start seminaries in Kenya and Uganda for students.
On August 17, 1991, Fr. Fulgens Katende became the first Ugandan Holy Cross priest. Sadly, five Holy Cross Brothers and one priest died in the genocide of 1994.
Holy Cross also opened primary and secondary schools in Uganda. In 1998, Holy Cross Lakeview Secondary School gained world attention when US President Bill Clinton visited. In 2003, the first East African leader for the Holy Cross district was named.
Holy Cross Schools and Universities
Holy Cross runs many educational institutions around the world.
Universities and Colleges
- University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (1842)
- Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana (1844) (Run by Sisters of the Holy Cross)
- St. Edward's University, Austin, Texas (1878)
- St. Joseph College, St. Joseph, New Brunswick Canada (1864)
- University of Portland, Portland, Oregon (1901)
- University of Holy Cross, New Orleans, Louisiana (1916) (Run by Marianites of Holy Cross)
- King's College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania (1946)
- Stonehill College, Easton, Massachusetts (1948)
- Notre Dame College, Dhaka, Bangladesh (1949)
- Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, Indiana (1966) (Run by Brothers of Holy Cross)
- Holy Cross College, Agartala, India (2009)
- Notre Dame University Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh (2013)
High Schools
Bangladesh
- Saint Placid's High School, Chittagong, Bangladesh (1853)
- St. Gregory's High School & College, Dhaka, Bangladesh (school 1881, college 2016)
- Holy Cross High School, Dhaka, Bangladesh (1912)
- Saint Nicholas High School, Nagori, Bangladesh (1920)
- Biroidakuni High School, Mymensingh, Bangladesh (1941)
- Brother Andre High School, Noakhali, Bangladesh (around 1940)
- Mariam Ashram High School, Chittagong, Bangladesh (1946)
- Notre Dame College, Dhaka, Bangladesh (1949)
- Notre Dame College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh (2014)
- Holy Cross College (Dhaka), Dhaka, Bangladesh (1950) (Run by Sisters of the Holy Cross)
- Holy Cross Girls' High School, Dhaka, Bangladesh (1950) (Run by Sisters of the Holy Cross)
- Udayan High School, Barisal, Bangladesh (1952)
- Saint Joseph Higher Secondary School, Dhaka, Bangladesh (1954)
- St. Joseph School of Industrial Trades, Dhaka, Bangladesh (1954)
Brazil
- Colégio Santa Maria, São Paulo, Brazil (1947) (Run by Sisters of Holy Cross)
- Colégio Dom Amando, Santarém, Brazil (1966)
- Colégio Notre Dame, Campinas, Brazil (1961)
- Colégio Santa Cruz, São Paulo, Brazil (1952)
Canada
- Collège Notre-Dame du Sacré-Coeur (Montreal), Montreal, Quebec, Canada (1869)
- Notre Dame College School (Welland), Welland, Ontario, Canada
- Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School (St. Catharines, Ontario)
- Saint Joseph's Oratory, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Chile
- St. George's College, Santiago, Chile (1943)
- Colegio de Nuestra Senora de Andacollo, (Santiago), Santiago, Chile (1976)
France
- Saint-Michel de Picpus, Paris. France
- Saint-Michel de Saint-Mandé, Saint-Mandé. France
- Notre Dame de Garaison, Monléon-Magnoac. France
- Notre Dame d'Orveau, Nyoiseau. France
- Institution Notre-Dame de Sainte-Croix, Neuilly-sur-Seine (independent since 1903)
Ghana
- St. Augustine's College (Ghana), Cape Coast, Ghana
- St John's Secondary School, Sekondi Takoradi, Ghana
Haiti
- Collège Notre-Dame, Cap Haitian, Haiti (1904)
- École Père Pérard, Plaisance, Haiti
- École Père Joseph Lepévédic, Limbé, Haiti
India
- Holy Cross Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India (1963)
- Notre Dame of Holy Cross School, Gundukallur, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. (2008)
- Holy Cross International School, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India (2021)
- Holy Cross School, Whitefield, Bangalore, India
- Holy Cross School, Agartala, Tripura India (1970)
- Holy Cross School, Tuikarmaw, Tripura
- Holy Cross School, Katalcherra, Tripura
- Holy Cross School, Panisagar, Tripura
- Holy Cross School, Kumarghat, Tripura
- Notredame Holy Cross School, Moharpara, Tripura
- St. Andre English Medium School, Bodhjungnagar, Tripura
- Good Shepherd School, Jongksha, Meghalaya
- Holy Cross School, Umkiang, Meghalaya
- Holy Cross School, Mawkynrew, Meghalaya
- Jeevan Jyothi Technical Institute, Honavar, India
- Holy Cross School, Mizoram, India
- Holy Cross School, Trichy, TN (2002)
- Holy Cross School, Aymanam, Kerala (2003)
- Holy Cross School, Ghanpur, AP (2003)
- St Louis School, Dahisar, Mumbai (2002)
- Abhayadhama, Human Development Centre, Whitefield, Bangalore, Karnataka State (1976)
- Holy Cross School, Ballia, U.P, India
Liberia
- St. Patrick's High School (Liberia)
Uganda
- Holy Cross Lake View Senior Secondary School (Wanyange), Jinja District (1993)
United States
- Holy Cross High School, New Orleans, Louisiana (1849)
- Academy of the Holy Cross, Kensington, Maryland (1868) (Run by Sisters of the Holy Cross)
- Holy Trinity High School, Chicago, Illinois (1910)
- Cathedral High School (Indianapolis), Indianapolis, Ind. (1918–1972; 2011 reaffiliated)
- Reitz Memorial High School, Evansville, Indiana (1925)
- Notre Dame High School (West Haven, Connecticut) (1946)
- Gilmour Academy, Gates Mills, Ohio (1946)
- Notre Dame High School, Sherman Oaks, California (1947)
- St. Edward High School, Lakewood, Ohio, (1949)
- Holy Family High School, Port Allen, Louisiana (1949) (Run by Marianites of Holy Cross)
- Archbishop Hoban High School, Akron, Ohio (1953)
- St. Francis High School, Mountain View, California (1955)
- Notre Dame High School, Fairfield, Connecticut (1955)
- Notre Dame College Preparatory, Niles, Illinois (1955)
- Holy Cross High School, Flushing, New York (1955)
- Holy Cross of San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas (1957)
- St. Edmond's Academy, Wilmington, Delaware (1959)
- Bishop McNamara High School, Forestville, Maryland, (1964)
- Moreau Catholic High School, Hayward, California (1965)
- Holy Cross High School, Waterbury, Connecticut (1968)
- San Juan Diego Catholic High School, Austin, Texas (2019)
Primary Schools
Uganda
- Holy Cross Primary School (Bugembe), Jinja District
- Saint Andrew's Primary School (Wanyange), Jinja District
- Saint Jude's Primary School, Jinja District
United States
- St. Edward High School, Lakewood, Ohio (1949)
- St. Ignatius Martyr, Austin, Texas (1940)
- Gilmour Academy, Gates Mills, Ohio (1946)
- Holy Cross School, New Orleans, Louisiana (1849)
- St. John Vianney School, Goodyear, Arizona (1992)
- St. Joseph Grade School, South Bend, Indiana (1854)
- Holy Cross School, South Bend, Indiana (1929)
- St. Adalbert Catholic School, South Bend, Indiana
- Christ the King Catholic School, South Bend, Indiana (1953)
- Holy Redeemer Catholic School, Portland, Oregon (1908)
Holy Cross Parishes
Holy Cross also serves many parishes (local church communities) around the world.
Bangladesh
- Holy Cross Church, Luxmibazar, Dhaka
- Church of St. Augustine of Hippo, Mathbari
- St. Joseph Church, Srimangal
- Our Lady of Holy Rosary Cathedral, Chittagong
- Fatima Rani Church, Bandarban
- Shanti Raj Girja Catholic Church, Thanchi
- Church of the Sacred Heart, Gournadi
- Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Khalibpur
- Corpus Christi Church, Jalchatra
- St. Paul's Church, Pirgacha
- St. George's Church, Mariamnagar
Brazil
- Paroquia São José do Jaguaré, São Paulo, SP
- Paroquia São Felipe Apostolo, Maua, SP
Canada
- St. Kevin's Church, Welland, ON
- Holy Name Parish, Toronto, ON
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Sherwood Park, AB
- St. Ann Parish, Toronto, ON
- Unité pastorale de Saint-Laurent, Saint-Laurent, QC
- Unité pastorale du Saint-Esprit, Cap-Pelé, NB
- Saint-Gregoire-le-Grand, Mont Saint-Gregoire, QC
- Notre-Dame-des-Champs, Saint-Polycarp, QC
- Saint-Martin de Val-Bélair, Québec, QC
Chile
- Parroquia San Roque, Santiago (1949)
- Parroquia Nuestra Señora de Andacollo, Santiago (1977)
- Parroquia Nuestra Señora de la Merced, Calle Larga (1989)
France
- Paroisse Notre-Dame de Sainte-Croix, Le Mans
Haiti
- Sainte Rose de Lima, Pilate
- Saint Charles Borromée, Le Borgne
- Saint Albert Le Grande, Ravine Trompette, Pilate
- Sainte Marie Madeleine, Duchity
- Notre Dame de l'Esperance/ND du Mont Carmel, Magagnosse/Labadie
- Notre Dame de Guadalupe, Waney, Port-au-Prince
- Saint Jules, Petit Bourg du Borgne
- Paroisse Sainte Elizabeth, Caracol
India
- St. Joseph Church, Agartala, Tripura
- St. Andre Mission, Bodhjunagar, Tripura
- Good Shepherd Church, Kathalcherra, Tripura
- St. Paul's Catholic Church, Kumarghat, Tripura
- Immaculate Conception Church, Moharpara, Tripura
- St. Mary's Church, Tuikarmaw, Tripura
- Holy Cross Parish, Bagbasa, Tripura
- Good Shepherd Parish, Jongksha, Meghalaya
- Holy Cross Parish, Mawkynrew, Meghalaya
- Holy Cross Parish, Umkiang, Meghalaya
- Holy Cross Church, Champhai, Mizoram
- St. John Parish, Khawzawl, Mizoram
- Holy Cross Parish, Koloriang, Arunachal Pradesh
- St. Sebastian Church, Loliem, Goa
- St Vincent De Paul Church, Katapady, Karnataka
- Nirmal Matha Church, Abadi Ghanpur, Andhra Pradesh
- Christ the King Parish, Pune, Maharashtra
- St. Joseph Church, Chengalam, Kottayam, Kerala
- St. Louis Parish Centre, Dahisar, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Dindigal, Tamil Nadu
- St. Sebastian Church, Idukki, Kerala
Kenya
- Holy Cross Parish Community, Dandora, Nairobi
Mexico
- Parroquia Nuestra Madre de la Luz, Monterrey, Nuevo León (1996)
- Parroquia San José, Tamán, San Luis Potosí (2011)
Peru
- Parroquia El Señor de la Esperanza, Canto Grande, Lima
Tanzania
- St. Brendan Parish, Kitete
Uganda
- Holy Cross Parish Community, Bugembe, Jinja
- St. Jude Thaddeus Parish Community, Kyarusozi, Fort Portal
United States
- Christ the King Parish, South Bend, Indiana (1933)
- Holy Cross Parish (1929) and St. Stanislaus Parish (1899), South Bend, Indiana
- Holy Cross Parish, South Easton, Massachusetts (1967)
- Holy Redeemer Parish, Portland, Oregon (2002)
- Sacred Heart Parish, Colorado Springs, Colorado (1984) (Including Mission Parishes of Holy Rosary and Our Lady of Perpetual Help)
- Sacred Heart Parish, Notre Dame, Indiana (1842)
- Sacred Heart Saint Francis de Sales Parish, Bennington, Vermont (1854 & 1880)
- St. Adalbert Parish, South Bend (2003) and St. Casimir Parish, South Bend, Indiana (1897)
- St. Ignatius Martyr Parish, Austin, Texas (1938)
- St. John Vianney Parish, Goodyear, Arizona (1981)
- St. Joseph Parish, South Bend, Indiana (1853)
- St. André Bessette Parish, Portland, Oregon (2001)
- St. John the Evangelist Parish, Viera, Florida (2001)
Other Holy Cross Works
- Ave Maria Press (a publishing company)
- Holy Cross Family Ministries (a group that promotes family prayer)
- Family Theater Productions
- Family Rosary Crusade
