Rev. Thomas J. O’Hara, C.S.C., Provincial Superior of the Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers, extends his prayers and support for the Holy Father after Pope Benedict XVI announced today he will resign at the end of February.
“The Congregation of Holy Cross is grateful for the Holy Father’s dedicated leadership as the shepherd of Christ’s Church these past eight years. We all have been blessed by his faithful service, guidance, love and inspiring zeal for evangelization. We pray for him in these last days of his Papacy,” said Fr. O’Hara.
In April 2006, the Pope’s promulgation of an authorized miracle attributed to the intercession of Fr. Basil Moreau, C.S.C., founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, led to his beatification. Four years later in October 2010, Pope Benedict canonized St. Andre Bessette, a Holy Cross brother whose humble yet powerful ministry at St. Joseph Oratory in Montreal, Canada, touched the lives of countless people.
“We in Holy Cross remember with great fondness that it was Pope Benedict who canonized our first saint. The entire Congregation worldwide celebrated with our Holy Father on that joyous day. St. Andre’s canonization will remain an indelible memory in our Congregation’s history,” recalled Fr. O’Hara.
