The Congregation of Holy Cross throughout the world celebrates the life of our founder, Blessed Basil Moreau, on Jan. 20, with celebrations in all community houses.
Fr. Moreau died on Jan. 20, 1873. He was beatified on Sept. 15, 2007, and his cause for sainthood continues.
Here are some of the ways Blessed Moreau is being recognized on Moreau Day throughout the U.S. Province:
- The University of Notre Dame Office of Campus Ministry is planning two Masses. Renovations at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart may impact the location of the Masses. If the Basilica reopens, Masses will be held at 11:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. The later Mass will include a solemn celebration for Blessed Moreau, which is part of the Holy Cross Community in the South Bend area’s commemoration as well.
- Nine lay collaborators across the U.S. Province were announced as 2013 Spirit of Holy Cross Award winners on Sept. 15, the Solemnity of Our Lady of Sorrows. Several of the recipients will be honored on Moreau Day. At the University of Portland, Holy Cross is recognizing the work of Al and Sue Corrado with a 5 p.m. Mass, followed by a dinner. Mary Pat Russ, a physical therapist at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind., also will be honored on Moreau Day for her achievement.
- There will be special Masses Monday in honor of Blessed Moreau at the HCFM headquarters at the Father Peyton Center in North Easton, Mass., and at the mission’s international sites. In North Easton, participants at the Mass will receive a prayer card and a candle will be lit throughout the day before Blessed Moreau’s image at the entrance to the center.
- Because Stonehill College is closed for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Blessed Moreau will be recognized Sunday at all Campus Ministry Masses with special music and inclusion in the homily. The Holy Cross Community at Stonehill will have a special Mass Monday in its own chapel, with Rev. John Denning, C.S.C., president of Stonehill, presiding. The Mass will be followed by a dinner for CSCs at the president’s house.
- Family Theater Productions, a ministry of Holy Cross Family Ministries, in Hollywood, Calif., is planning a Mass and lunch for all Holy Cross religious in the Southern California area on Jan. 25. The events will include reflections on Blessed Moreau, a cake in his honor and a screening of one of Family Theater’s short films. Religious have been gathering for the event for more than a decade.
The Congregation of Holy Cross is in the process of establishing an international shrine in honor ofBlessed Basil Moreau the Church of Notre-Dame de Sainte-Croix in Le Mans, France. The church, which was completed and consecrated in 1857, was built under the direction of Fr. Moreau to serve as the Congregation’s spiritual home. It is in the church’s crypt where the founder of Holy Cross is buried today. Fr. John DeRiso, C.S.C., isthe first Rector of the Shrine.(You can read a reflection on Blessed Moreau by Fr. DeRiso by clicking here).
Superior General Fr. Richard V. Warner, C.S.C., and his Council have been working to establish the shrine with the assistance of the Congregation’s Vicariate of France and the encouragement of the Diocese of Le Mans. While preparations are still being made for the official inauguration of the shrine, the Shrine has already received pilgrims who have come to pray at the tomb of Blessed Basile Moreau and to learn more about the origins of Holy Cross.
You can follow the progress of the Shrine of Blessed Basil Moreau on its Facebook page.
Ave Maria Press, a publishing apostolate of the U.S. Province, offers a number books on Blessed Moreau, his teachings and the Holy Cross charism he envisioned:
- “Basil Moreau: Founder of Holy Cross” by Gary MacEoin
- “Praying from the Heart of Holy Cross Spirituality: A 30-Day Retreat with Basil Moreau” by Joel Giallanza, C.S.C.
- “Holy Cross and Christian Education” by the Notre Dame Office of Campus Ministry
- “You Have Redeemed the World: Praying the Stations in Holy Cross Tradition” by Revs. Kevin Grove, C.S.C., and Andrew Gawrych, C.S.C.
- “The Cross, our Only Hope: Daily Reflections in the Holy Cross Tradition” edited by Revs. Kevin Grove, C.S.C., and Andrew Gawrych, C.S.C.
- “The Gift of the Cross: Lenten Reflections in the Holy Cross Tradition” edited by Rev. Andrew Gawrych
- “The Directory of Devotional Prayer” from the Congregation of Holy Cross
Ave plans to release a new book, “Basil Moreau: Essential Writings,” by Revs. Kevin Grove, C.S.C., and Andrew Gawrych, C.S.C., on April 7. The book is available for preorder in hard cover and paperback.
Holy Cross Family Ministries also offers a DVD of Blessed Moreau’s 2007 beautification.
