Holy cross spirituality
Holy Cross Patrons
From the earliest days, Blessed Basil Moreau envisioned his new Congregation being modeled after the Holy Family. Not surprisingly then, he entrusted each of the three branches of Holy Cross to an individual patron within the Holy Family. The priests of Holy Cross are consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The brothers of Holy Cross, drawing upon their beginnings with Fr. Jacques Dujarié as the Brothers of St. Joseph, are dedicated to St. Joseph. The sisters of Holy Cross are dedicated to Mary under the title of Our Lady of Sorrows.
The entire Congregation is also placed under the patronage of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Bl. Basil Moreau
Blessed Basil Moreau, founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, was born in France in 1799. A sought-after preacher and lively professor, Fr. Moreau formed the first association of Holy Cross in 1837 to serve the educational needs of post-revolution France. Soon after, he sent members of his fledgling congregation to Africa, Asia, and North America to serve the Church as educators in the faith.
St. André Bessette
Alfred Bessette entered the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1870 and took the name Brother André. As doorkeeper in one of the congregation’s schools, he fostered devotion to Saint Joseph among the sick and soon became known as the “Miracle Man” of Montreal for the miraculous cures attributed to his intercession. In 1904, he founded the world-renowned Oratory of Saint Joseph.