On 14 September, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Most Rev. Jean-Pierre Vuillemin, Bishop of the Diocese of Le Mans, installed Fr. John DeRiso, C.S.C., as Pastor of Notre-Dame de Sainte-Croix Church. Fr. DeRiso has also been appointed Rector of the Shrine of Blessed Basile Moreau by Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., Superior General.

The Mass began at the doors of the church, where Bishop Vuillemin received the church keys from a member of the pastoral team and then, in turn, entrusted them to Fr. DeRiso. Later in the liturgy, following Fr. DeRiso’s introduction to the assembly and his profession of faith, the bishop led him on a tour of the church, visiting key places associated with his pastoral office, including the baptismal font, ambo, confessional, tabernacle, altar, and presider’s chair.

Among the concelebrants at the Mass were Fr. Paul Valentin, C.S.C., Superior of the Mother Province, Fr. Joseph Gonsalvez, C.S.C., Assistant Rector and Assistant Pastor, and Fr. Andrew Gawrych, C.S.C., Third Assistant, who was representing the General Administration.

Following Mass, there was a small reception in the back of the church for the faithful to greet their new pastor, who many already knew from his service as the founding Rector of the Shrine and Pastor from 2013-2019.

The following day, Monday, 15 September, Bishop Vuillemin returned to Notre-Dame de Sainte-Croix for the church’s and the Congregation’s Patronal Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows. In addition to the local Holy Cross community, several members of the diocesan clergy participated in the celebration, including Fr. Benoît Pierre, Vicar General.

The celebration began with Solemn Vespers, presided by Fr. Valentin. Then the bishop presided at the Mass with Fr. DeRiso offering the homily. During his homily, Fr. DeRiso pointed out the seven stained glass windows in the church that present the seven sorrows of Mary. Quoting from the Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross, he invited those present to turn to Our Lady of Sorrows because“she tells much of this daily cross and its daily hope” (8:120).

Read more about the Shrine of Blessed Basile Moreau

The Shrine of Blessed Basile Moreau was established at Notre-Dame de Sainte Croix Church, the Congregation’s Conventual Church, by then Superior General Fr. Richard V. Warner, C.S.C., in 2013. The shrine’s mission is to promote devotion to Blessed Basile Moreau and share his spirituality, welcoming pilgrims from near and far into the heart of Holy Cross' origins and heritage.