Ave Maria Press announced the upcoming publication of a comprehensive 544-page anthology of the most important and representative sermons, spiritual exercises and meditations, educational treatises, and circular letters of Blessed Basil Moreau, the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Entitled Basil Moreau: Essential Writings, the book will be published in April.
“Up until now, Fr. Moreau's circular letters and education writings have been widely available, but not other texts that reveal his unique, incarnational vision,” said Fr. Kevin Grove, C.S.C., who edited the book along with Fr. Andrew Gawrych, C.S.C. “His sermons, meditations, and spiritual exercises reveal a sophisticated, consistent, and deeply scriptural thinker. These writings reveal a Moreau who is at times a spiritual father, at other times a concerned pastor, and still others a religious trying to deepen his own life of prayer.”
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In addition to over 400 of pages of primary resources from Moreau, the book includes a lengthy biographical and historical introduction by Frs. Grove and Gawrych. There is also a generous foreword by Dr. John C. Cavadini, Professor of Theology and Director of the Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame.
“We are excited by the upcoming publication of the book, which draws and builds on the work of many Holy Cross sisters, brothers, and priests who have passed on and begun unlocking Moreau’s rich spiritual and theological legacy,” said Fr. Gawrych. “Previous books have introduced our Holy Cross tradition as an object of devotion. We hope this book helps introduce that tradition as a worthy object of study, not only for Holy Cross religious and our collaborators, but for all those whose faith seeks a deeper understanding.”
Ave Maria Press, which is publishing the book in both hardcover and softcover editions, is a ministry of the United States Province of the Congregation. It was founded in 1865 by Fr. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., one of Moreau’s first disciples and the founder of the University of Notre Dame.
“The beatification of Basil Moreau in 2007 gave Ave Maria Press a welcome opportunity to begin publishing books that explored and celebrated the history and the spiritual vision of the Congregation of Holy Cross,” said Mr. Tom Grady, Publisher of Ave Maria Press. “Over the years we have released biographies of St. André Bessette, Blessed Basil Moreau, and Servant of God Vincent McCauley, as well as a series of daily, Advent, and Lenten reflections written by members of the Congregation.
“The publication of the essential writings of Basil Moreau, superbly prepared by Fr. Kevin Grove, C.S.C., and Fr. Andrew Gawrych, C.S.C., is perhaps the crowning achievement of this ongoing effort to support the mission of Holy Cross. As one of its lay apostolates, Ave Maria Press is enormously grateful for the opportunity to join in the work of making God known, loved, and served.”
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Basil Moreau: Essential Writings is already available for pre-order on Ave Maria’s website. Grady encouraged all those interested in a hardcover copy to place an order in January, as there will be only one run of the hardcover edition.
“This much-anticipated and brilliantly compiled volume responds to the need for an English-language anthology of the writings of Blessed Basil Moreau, the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross,” said Archbishop Charles J. Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland. “For students of history and religion, as well as for anyone seeking to understand and benefit personally from the profound spirituality of Father Moreau, this book is an absolute treasure.”
“Blessed Basil Moreau had a singular ability to address problems with a combination of intellectual acuity, spiritual wisdom, and practicality,” added Dr. John Garvey, President of The Catholic University of America. “His thoughts on Catholic education and the virtues of teachers are especially noteworthy. We would do well to reread them at the beginning of each academic year.”