1. The Brothers of Holy Cross Eric Morgel, Hali Levandoski, Matt Vanisacker Mrs. Biler Lifestyles 25 May 2012

2.  Founded in 1837 in France by Blessed Fr. Basil Moreau, CSC  During this time, the French Church was oppressed by the revolutionaries.  The Congregation of Holy Cross began as members of the Brothers of St. Joseph and a group of Auxiliary Priests.  The Congregation includes both Brothers of Holy Cross and Priests of Holy Cross.  Four years later, Blessed Fr. Moreau founded the Marianites of Holy Cross, a female religious order.  Eventually, the Order began missionary work in Europe, Algeria, Canada, the United States and Eastern Bengal (Bangladesh).  In 1841, the Brothers of Holy Cross founded the University of Notre Dame.  In 1944, the Brothers of Holy Cross founded Monroe Catholic Central (now St. Mary Catholic Central). History

3. Congregation of Holy Cross founded in 1837 by Blessed Fr. Moreau, CSC Founding of the University of Notre Dame in 1841 Monroe Catholic Central founded in 1944. Timeline

4.  Father Basil Moreau C.S.C.  Was born in France February 11, 1799 in a small town near Le Mans.  He grew up amidst turmoil of the French Revolution  As a young man he was religious and felt called to restore the church that was destroyed during the civil war.  In 1821 he was ordained a priest and later became a seminary professor. Founder

5.  In 1835 he organized a group of young priests called “auxiliary priests”  In 1835 he was asked to oversee the Brothers of Saint Joseph, a recently founded group of educators  In 1837 he merged the Brothers and the priests and the association took of the name of the city where it was based Sainte-Croix or Holy Cross

6.  They live together with other men who share common beliefs. That one should live a life devoted to faith and do service for others.  They live in a community of brothers; in good times or in bad times they can always rely on each other to be there.  They try to be present in the communities in which they serve. They make themselves constantly available to the people. Characteristics

7.  Members live a dynamic spiritual life and have both inward contemplation about faith and outwardly express their faith through service to others.  They strive to bring hope to other people around the world. Characteristics

8. Process to Join Step 1: To begin you must attend a one year information session where you reside within a Holy Cross community and experience a life of study, prayer, and ministry. Step 2: Upon completing the first year program the candidate applies for admission to the novitiate, which I collaborative program for all Holy Cross brother novices in the United States. During this spiritual year you will be further educated and trained in styles of prayer and meditation and the skills necessary for living the vowed life in common, in apostolic service and in the history and character of the Holy Cross. Step 3: At the end of novitiate you will make your temporary vows including celibacy and poverty. After professing vows as a new Brother you will be assigned to ministry or to studies. You will remain under temporary vows for three to six years and then will take your perpetual vows within the congregation of the Holy Cross.

9.  Monks of the Order follow a threefold vow of obedience, stability, and conversion to the Monastic way of life.  In general, monks of the Order are encouraged to develop their own ministries within their monastic vocation. Lifestyle of Holy Cross

10.  The mission of the Brothers of the Holy Cross is to educate youth in schools.  They have mission centers in East Africa, Peru, Chile, Mexico, India, Brazil, West Africa and the Philippines. Mission of Holy Cross

11.  The Brothers of the Holy Cross have founded many high schools and universities.  Some of these include: Holy Cross College, The University of Notre Dame and St. Mary Catholic Central High School. Impact of Holy Cross

12.  In addition to being the founders of the University of Notre Dame, the Brothers of Holy Cross also support:  St. Edward’s College, Austin, Texas Interesting Facts

13.  St. André Besset, CSC is the first Brother from the Order to reach sainthood.  He was a humble doorkeeper in Canada who had the gift of healing.  He was canonized on October 17, 2010. Saints and Leaders

14.  The founder of the Order, Blessed Fr. Basil Moreau, CSC, is currently waiting to be canonized.  He was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on September 15, 2007.  The Superior General of the Brothers today is Fr. Richard V. Warner, CSC Saints and Leaders

15.  In modern times, the Brothers have expanded their missionary work into the following areas:  District of East Africa  District of West Africa  District of Brazil Recent Times

16.  "Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers." Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers. Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers. Web. 24 May 2012.  "The Brothers of Holy Cross :: Extraordinary Lives, Bringing Hope To Others." The Brothers of Holy Cross :: Extraordinary Lives, Bringing Hope To Others. The Brothers of Holy Cross. Web. 24 May 2012. Sources