Crossing Borders of Every Sort the history, charism and mission of the congregation of holy cross, united states province of priests and brothers, presented by rev. michael mcgrath delaney, c.s.c., director of the holy cross mission center
The Charism of Holy Cross
"… we go as educators in the faith to those whose lot we share …" — Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross, 2:12
The charism of a religious community is its particular personality within the Church — that which makes it distinctive and sets it apart from others. We are an apostolic, Roman Catholic community of priests and brothers committed to common table, common prayer and a common mission.
Our tradition as priests and brothers as rectors really was born out of our founder's educational philosophy. Father Moreau told us, "Always place education side by side with instruction. The mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heart."
Thus, our distinctive charism and trust in Divine Providence has guided us to found ...
world-renowned institutes of Catholic higher education ...
parishes across the United States and Mexico
other important ministries on five continents
A Brief History of the Congregation
Rev. Basil Moreau, C.S.C., founded the order 175 years ago, but Holy Cross’ tradition, even as it is lived today, is rooted in the congregation’s orgins. To begin with, Holy Cross is named for a place.
While we serve the Cross of Christ, our mission developed out of Sainte-Croix. It was a town with real people and real problems; one that needed both teachers and preachers.
To this day, we seek to foster deep commitments to Christ and the Church wherever or whomever we serve. We build communities in our parishes, our colleges, universities, schools and international missionary locations.
Our Mission
Blessed Moreau called on the priests and brothers of Holy Cross to be “educators in the faith,” who with a preferential option for the poor, educate both mind and heart principally in the fields of
EDUCATION
PARISH
MISSION
We draw from our founder Blessed Basil Moreau’s trust in Divine Providence and confidence in the Cross as our only hope and zeal to make God “known, loved and served.”
The Structure of the Holy Cross Family
Holy Cross Priests and Brothers, Brothers of Holy Cross, Sisters of the Holy Cross
In the Diocese of Le Mans, Blessed Moreau and a fellow priest, Fr. Jacques-Francois Dujarié came forward to form what is now the Congregation of Holy Cross, an association of priests and brothers, who to this day, live in community. The United States Province of Priests and Brothers is but one of several Provinces of the Congregation throughout the world, which all fall under the auspices of the Congregation in Rome.
Independent of the United States Province of Priests and Brothers, but connected by a long history of collaboration and common charism, are the Brothers of Holy Cross (whose Midwest Province is headquartered in Notre Dame, IN on the campus of Holy Cross College). In partnership with hundreds of lay people, the Brothers conduct St. Edward’s University (Texas), Holy Cross College (Indiana) and more than one dozen Catholic high schools in the United States.
The Sisters of the Holy Cross trace their origins to Blessed Moreau as well. In 1843, Blessed Moreau sent four Holy Cross sisters to northern Indiana to assist the Holy Cross priests with would later become known as the University of Notre Dame.
Blessed Moreau also brought together the first group of women who would become the Marianites of Holy Cross
HERE, IN THE UNITED STATES ...
Beyond our education and parish ministries and ministries serving the poor in the United States, we also founded: Holy Cross Family Ministries, which supports Family Rosary, USA, Family Rosary International, Family Theater Productions, and the Father Peyton Family Institute; and Ave Maria Press, a Catholic publishing company established by the Congregation 150 years ago.
BUT, WE CROSS BORDERS OF EVERY SORT, AND SO WILL YOU!
THE ISSLP SUMMER PROGRAM takes you to one of six locations throughout the world, where Holy Cross can be found - Bangladesh, Brazil, Peru, Tanzania, Uganda (Jinja or Kyarusozi).
In all, the Holy Cross Mission Center, sponsored by the United States Province, supports those locations for which the U.S. Province has direct jurisdiction:
- District of Chile (1943) - the longest-running mission still overseen by the United States Province
- District of East Africa - Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda (1958)
- District of Perú (1977)
- Region of México (1987)
We are in a total of 16 countries and 5 continents!
We also support areas with which the U.S. Province has a special relationship, for example the Sacred Heart of Jesus Province of Bangladesh, along with coordinating special mission initiatives, like relief efforts in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, and assisting the Congregation’s other districts, provinces and the general administration.
ISSLP LOCATIONS
Bangladesh
- Population: Youth, Children, Men, Women, Infants, Indigenous
- Social Issues: Education, Catholic Worker, Community Organizing, Outreach
- Holy Cross educational institutions: two colleges, two technical schools, and multiple literacy programs and social projects for underprivileged children.
- Several parishes in the more remote villages of the tribal peoples, who are considered the poorest of the poor and often regarded as inferior.
Brazil
- Population: Women, Youth, Prisoners, Homeless
- Social Issues: Women's Issues, Homeless, Education, Catholic Worker, Outreach, Community Organizing
- Holy Cross sisters established Colégio Santa Maria, one of the highest rated schools in São Paulo.
- The Sisters of the Holy Cross in Brazil also sponsor the Saint Martha’s Social Service Center, which provides programs for women to learn skills which allow them to support their families.
Peru (Lima)
- Population: Youth, Women, Men, Children, Children with Special Needs, Indigenous
- Social Issues: Education, Outreach, Community Organizing, Catholic Worker
- Today the life and work of the Holy Cross community is rooted among the urban poor and concentrated principally within the limits of El Señor de la Esperanza Parish in Canto Grande.
- There are six main projects in which the Holy Cross Mission in Lima is deeply involved: El Señor de la Esperanza Parish; Fe y Alegría No. 25 School; The Patrick Peyton Center; Yancana Huasy; Rosary Apostolate; and Hermano Andres Clinic.
Tanzania (Kitete)
- Population: Youth, Children, Men, Women
- Social Issues: Education, Catholic Worker, Outreach
- The Congregation of the Holy Cross priests and brothers run St. Brendan’s Parish, the Audrey Veldman Trade and Vocational School and a nursery school in Kitete, Tanzania.
Uganda (Jinja)
- Population: Youth, Disabled Persons, Children
- Social Issues: Education, Healthcare, HIV/AIDS, Catholic Worker, Outreach, Community Organizing
- The Holy Cross Bugembe parish operates St. Andrew, St. Jude and Holy Cross Primary Schools, Holy Cross Lake View Senior Secondary School, as well as an HIV/AIDS program.
Uganda (Kyarusozi)
- Population: Youth, Children, Men, Women, Indigenous Peoples
- Social Issues: Education, Healthcare, Catholic Worker, Outreach, Community Organizing
- St. Jude Tadeo Parish operates Kyarusozi (kigh-a-roo-sew-zee) Vocational Training School and St. Joseph Hill Secondary School.
- St. Jude Tadeo Parish includes some thirty sub-parishes.
"As in every work of our mission, we find that we ourselves stand to learn much from those whom we are called to teach."
"Our mission sends us across borders of every sort. Often we must make ourselves at home among more than one people or culture, reminding us again that the farther we go in giving the more we stand to receive."
"Our life today and our life's work every day belong to God. We are God's work."
"Let me take up tomorrow with conviction, courage, and confidence. Let me make a difference."
"We are becoming truly concerned for others, and are thus reflecting God in whose image and likeness we are created."
"May we sacrifice for one another and reveal to the world your overflowing grace."
"May we become poor in spirit this day by giving our time, talent, and treasure to those most in need."
"Help us to acknowledge you at every step of our pilgrim journey, for every good work is begun by you ..."
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