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 (Latin: Congregatio a Sancta Cruce), also known as CSC, is a group of Catholic priests and brothers. It was started in 1837 by Basil Moreau in Le Mans, France.
Moreau also founded a group of sisters called the Marianites of Holy Cross. Today, this group has grown into three separate groups of sisters: the Marianites of Holy Cross in France, the Sisters of the Holy Cross in Indiana, USA, and the Sisters of Holy Cross in Quebec, Canada.
Contents
History of Holy Cross
How it Started
Basil Moreau was born in France in 1799, during the end of the French Revolution. He wanted to become a priest, but the French government made it hard for the Church to teach people. So, Moreau had to study in secret. He became a priest in 1821.
In 1835, Moreau gathered a group of "Auxiliary Priests" to help teach and spread the Catholic faith in his area. Around the same time, another priest, Jacques-Francois Dujarié, had started a group called the Brothers of St. Joseph to help educate people in the countryside.
Joining Forces
Fr. Dujarié was getting older and needed someone to lead the Brothers of St. Joseph. He knew Moreau was the right person. So, in 1835, Moreau took charge of both groups: his Auxiliary Priests and the Brothers of St. Joseph.
In 1837, Moreau decided to combine these two groups into one big family. This way, the priests and brothers could work together and share their resources. On March 1, 1837, they officially joined together in a church called Notre-Dame de Sainte-Croix in Le Mans. This new group became known as the Association of Holy Cross.
At first, Holy Cross mainly served their local area. But in 1840, they were asked to send missionaries to Algeria to start schools. This was a big step! It meant Holy Cross would become a worldwide religious group. Moreau and four others became the first members to make special promises to God in the Association of Holy Cross. He also started the first group of women who would become the Marianites of Holy Cross.
Growing Around the World
In 1841, Holy Cross sent a group to the United States. They started their first place in North America at Notre Dame, Indiana. The group grew even more, starting missions in Canada in 1847 and in East Bengal in 1852.
In 1857, the Pope officially approved the rules for the priests and brothers. This is when the Association officially became the Congregation of Holy Cross. The sisters became a separate group, but Moreau continued to help them get their own approval, which happened in 1865.
Holy Cross and The Holy Family
Moreau believed that the Congregation of Holy Cross was like a picture of the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph). He wanted the sisters, priests, and brothers to work together to build God's kingdom.
He gave each 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 everyone in Holy Cross. He imagined that "Holy Cross will grow like a mighty tree and constantly shoot forth new limbs and new branches."
Leaders of Holy Cross
The leader of the Congregation of Holy Cross is called the Superior General. Here are some of the past leaders:
- 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)
Where Holy Cross Works
The Holy Cross priests and brothers work all over the world. They are organized into different regions called Provinces, Districts, and Vicariates. Here are some of them:
- 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)
Notable Members of Holy Cross
Some members of Holy Cross have become very well known:
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, who founded the Congregation.
Church Leaders
Many members have become bishops or archbishops, leading parts of the Catholic Church around the world. Some examples include:
- Archbishop Patrick Cardinal D'Rozario, CSC, from Bangladesh.
- Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, from Peoria, USA.
- Bishop Lumen Monteiro, CSC, from India.
- John Francis Cardinal O'Hara, CSC, who was also president of Notre Dame University.
Other Important Members
- Servant of God 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. Richard William Timm, CSC, a missionary, teacher, and scientist.
Holy Cross Around the World
Holy Cross priests and brothers serve in many countries. Here are some of the places they have been since their early days:
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Missions in Other Countries
Holy Cross in Bangladesh
The first Holy Cross missionaries arrived in what is now Bangladesh in May 1853. At that time, this area was considered one of the most challenging places for missionaries. There were very few priests, and many people needed education and spiritual guidance. Holy Cross took on this difficult mission, starting schools and churches.
Holy Cross in Chile
Holy Cross arrived in Santiago, Chile, on March 1, 1943. They were invited to run Saint George's College, a school for students from first grade to high school. This school has a rich history and has helped shape many leaders in Chile.
Holy Cross also runs Colegio Nuestra Señora de Andacollo, which serves children from working-class families. Besides schools, they also work in parishes and help children who don't have homes through special foundations.
Holy Cross in Mexico
Holy Cross began its work in Mexico in 1972. They have served in parishes, helping communities grow. They also started a program to help young Mexican men who want to become priests or brothers in Holy Cross.
Since 1999, Holy Cross Family Ministries has been active in Mexico, encouraging families to pray together, especially the rosary. They also started a program for students from Holy Cross schools in the U.S. to experience life and ministry with the poor in Mexico.
Holy Cross in Peru
The Holy Cross mission in Peru started in 1963. They serve a very large parish called El Señor de la Esperanza, which has about 250,000 Catholics and 19 chapels. In 1982, they opened "Yancana Huasy," which means "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 Uganda in November 1958. They began their work by helping in large church areas and later started running St. Leo's College, a high school. They also opened their first parish in Bukwali.
Holy Cross has continued to grow in Uganda, accepting local people to join their community. They have also opened primary and secondary schools, like Holy Cross Primary and Holy Cross Lake View Secondary. In 1994, a third parish opened in Kyrausozi.
Holy Cross Schools and Colleges
Holy Cross is well known for its many schools and colleges around the world.
Higher Education
- University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (1842)
- Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana (1844) (Sisters of the Holy Cross)
- St. Edward's University, Austin, Texas (1878)
- University of Portland, Portland, Oregon (1901)
- University of Holy Cross, New Orleans, Louisiana (1916) (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) (Brothers of Holy Cross)
- Holy Cross College, Agartala, India (2009)
- Notre Dame University Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh (2013)
Secondary Schools (High Schools)
Holy Cross runs many high schools in different countries:
Bangladesh
- Saint Placid's High School, Chittagong, Bangladesh (1853)
- St. Gregory's High School, Dhaka, Bangladesh (1881)
- Holy Cross High School, Dhaka, Bangladesh (1912)
- Notre Dame College, Dhaka, Bangladesh (1949)
- Holy Cross College (Dhaka), Dhaka, Bangladesh (1950) (Sisters of the Holy Cross)
- Saint Joseph Higher Secondary School, Dhaka, Bangladesh (1954)
Brazil
- Colegio Santa Maria, São Paulo, Brazil (1947) (Sisters of Holy Cross)
- Colegio Dom Amando, Santarém, Brazil (1966)
Canada
- Collège Notre-Dame du Sacré-Coeur (Montreal), Montreal, Quebec, Canada (1869)
- Notre Dame College School (Welland), Welland, Ontario, 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
- Notre Dame d'Orveau, Nyoiseau. France
Ghana
- St. Augustine's College (Ghana), Cape Coast, Ghana
Haiti
- Collège Notre-Dame, Cap Haitian, Haiti (1904)
India
- Holy Cross Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India (1963)
- Holy Cross School, Agartala, Tripura India (1970)
- Holy Cross School, Whitefield, Bangalore, India
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) (Sisters of the Holy Cross)
- Holy Trinity High School, Chicago, Illinois (1910)
- Notre Dame High School, Sherman Oaks, California (1947)
- St. Edward High School, Lakewood, Ohio, (1949)
- Archbishop Hoban High School, Akron, Ohio (1953)
- St. Francis High School, Mountain View, California (1955)
- Holy Cross High School, Flushing, New York (1955)
- Moreau Catholic High School, Hayward, California (1965)
Primary Schools (Elementary Schools)
Uganda
- Holy Cross Primary School (Bugembe), Jinja District
United States
- Holy Cross School, New Orleans, Louisiana (1849)
- St. Joseph Grade School, South Bend, Indiana (1854)
- Holy Cross School, South Bend, Indiana (1929)
- Holy Redeemer Catholic School, Portland, Oregon (1908)
Other Works of Holy Cross
- Ave Maria Press: A publishing company that creates books and resources.
- Holy Cross Family Ministries: This group helps families pray together.
- Family Theater Productions: Makes movies and TV shows with positive messages.
- Family Rosary Crusade: Encourages families to pray the rosary.
Images for kids
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Waldschmidt Hall at the University of Portland.
