The Marianites of Holy Cross, led by Sr. Ann Lacour, M.S.C., Congregational Leader, and Sr. Renée Daigle, M.S.C., Congregational Assistant, hosted the biennial gathering of the four General Councils of the Holy Cross Family in Le Mans, France, from 19 to 23 October.

The highlight of the meeting came on the final evening, Thursday, 22 October, with the formal inauguration of La Solitude de Sainte-Croix as a center of pilgrimage, formation, education, and evangelization. This collaborative ministry of the four congregations of the Holy Cross Family at what is seen as the family’s “spiritual cradle” in Le Mans has been years in the making.

The center is located on the property that Blessed Basile Moreau first rented and then purchased as the novitiate for the Holy Cross Priests. The property was sold in 1869, like Holy Cross’s other properties in Le Mans, but the Marianites purchased it back in 1927. They have owned the property ever since, using it for various ministries and communities over the years. It was at the Marianites’ invitation that the other congregations came together to establish a common center that would serve the international Family of Holy Cross as well as the local Church and surrounding community.

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The property still includes the original building that was rented and purchased by Father Moreau, and where he often stayed. In fact, Father Moreau’s room has been preserved over the years. That building, which will continue to bear its original name of La Solitude du Sauveur, is being converted into a heritage center to share the story of the origins of the Holy Cross Family and its current mission around the world. The property also preserves part of the “Little Woods” where Father Moreau liked to walk and pray, and where he composed part of the Rule and Constitutions for Holy Cross.

“It is my hope that the Solitude will provide future generations of Holy Cross religious, as well as our partners in mission, with a place to call home in Holy Cross, where they can come and immerse themselves in our traditions and spirituality,” said Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., Superior General of the Congregation of Holy Cross. “I also hope that the Solitude is not just exclusively for those of us affiliated with Holy Cross. Father Moreau named his congregation after this region of Sainte-Croix in Le Mans. That is why I hope that groups not only within this region, but also within the diocese and city of Le Mans would also find a home at the Solitude where they can hold meetings and various events and experience our Holy Cross hospitality.”

The formal inauguration of La Solitude de Sainte-Croix took place during a Mass in the Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel on the property’s grounds. Fr. Benoît Pierre, Vicar General of the Diocese of Le Mans, presided and preached.

Following the homily, each of the Superiors General gave remarks in commemoration of the historic moment. Then, together, they signed the formal declaration of La Solitude de Sainte-Croix.

“Today, as the four Holy Cross Congregations come together in this collaborative ministry, we take another step toward realizing Father Moreau’s dream,” said Sr. Sharlet Wagner, C.S.C., President of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. “As we look to the future, we pray that the Solitude will continue to be a place where faith is deepened, where pilgrims find welcome, and where visitors encounter the spirituality of Blessed Basil Moreau.”

“May this return to our roots, the beginning of a new adventure, be for each of our congregations an act of solidarity in Holy Cross that will open new horizons for our mission, community life, and the deepening of our charism and spiritual life,” added Sr. Raymonde Maisonneuve, C.S.C., General Animator of the Sisters of Holy Cross.

After Communion, Sr. Lacour offered words of gratitude for all of those who helped make the dream of a common Holy Cross center at the Solitude a reality, including the local community of Marianite sisters who had so graciously accepted and accompanied the transformation of their home into this new common center. She closed by expressing her hope for the Solitude’s mission.

“Father Moreau’s prayer for those who came to the Solitude was ‘enter in completely, dwell therein, emerge a different person’. Let us continue the mission for generations to come. Let us entrust to Our Lady, Patroness of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the future of La Solitude,” said Sr. Lacour.

The facilties of La Solitude de Sainte-Croix include a heritage center, a large conference or meeting room that can accommodate up to 150 people, and a main chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, and eventually up 40 guests rooms for pilgims, retreatants, and visitors. There are also four acres of beautiful natural grounds ideal for walking, prayer, and meditation.

In addition to Mr. Aymard Boulere, Director, Mrs. Stéphanie Valentin, Program Coordinator, and rest of the lay staff, an international "welcoming community" of four Holy Cross Sisters—two each from the Sisters of Holy Cross and the Sisters of the Holy Cross—lives and serves at La Solitude, giving it the characteristic spirit of hospitality that the Holy Cross Family is known for around the world.