Spirituality
The Congregation of Holy Cross draws our spirituality and charism from our founder, Blessed Basile Moreau.
As a man of apostolic zeal, Moreau was focused on the mission that Jesus Christ had entrusted to the Church. While always emphasizing the need for personal holiness, Moreau saw himself – and his religious family – as apostles to be sent out by the Lord on behalf of His gospel.
In particular, the Holy Spirit inspired Moreau to found the Congregation to be sent as educators in the faith. This is our charism. In all our many ministries, we seek to educate in the faith by developing the mind, cultivating the heart, enkindling a zeal for service, encouraging hope in the cross, and uniting with others as family.
As a man of broad study and deep piety, Moreau had many spiritual influences. He learned the French School of Spirituality in the Sulpician seminary; he was an avid student of St. Ignatius of Loyola and his Spiritual Exercises; and he became a close friend and collaborator of the Benedictine Abbot and Liturgist Dom Gueranger.
Although the spirituality Moreau handed on to the Congregation reflects these diverse influences, at its core is the cross of Christ. Ave Crux Spes Unica – Hail the cross our only hope – is the motto that Moreau chose for the Congregation. It is from finding how even the cross can be born as a gift that we become true educators, true men with hope to bring.
To help sustain his Congregation, Moreau gave his religious priests, brothers, and sisters to each other as a family of faith. He also modeled the Congregation on the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and consecrated us to them as our patrons.