C.S.C. & The World
The Congregation of Holy Cross is a religious order of priests and brothers in the Roman Catholic Church. Approximately 1,500 Holy Cross members (carrying the initials C.S.C. for the Latin Congregatio a Sancta Cruce) live and work in some 16 countries on five continents.
We are a relatively young order, having been established as a community in 1837 by Rev. Basil Anthony Moreau (1799–1873) in the small French town of Sainte-Croix (Holy Cross). This group of brothers and auxiliary priests was ready to serve local churches in education-related tasks as the Church rebuilt following the French Revolution. Within a few years, the missionary spirit of their founder and the zeal of these men to make God known, loved, and served prompted them to go far beyond the borders of France.
Unique Structure
The community gained official Vatican approval as a congregation in 1857. By that time, Father Moreau had added details to a distinctive structure of spiritual approaches and devotions among his followers. The Congregation’s structural story has been one of change, but our spiritual story has combined change with constancy, diversity with unity, and an appreciation for familial and interpersonal solidarity with a passionate outreach to the world. Pope Benedict XVI approved the beatification of Father Moreau on Sept. 15, 2007.
Timely Message
To those laypeople whom we serve and with whom we collaborate, generally in settings where we follow Blessed Basil Moreau’s call to educate both the heart and the mind, our message is timeless and timely. We are men who bring hope—the hope that is anchored in Christ’s cross. We celebrate the Gospel’s good news of resurrection and victorious Love that is inseparable from sacrifice, self-giving service, and the crosses we bear together. This hope reflects our trust in Divine Providence, God’s love that knows no limits and is beyond our comprehension. Our congregation’s motto is Ave Crux, Spes Unica, “Hail the Cross, Our Only Hope.”
Key Apostolates
We bring this hope by establishing our presence at the grassroots level, usually in apostolates related to education, parish work, and missionary outreach. Reflecting our founder’s vision for the Congregation as a community closely tied to the Holy Family, we strive to live a community life with each other even as we go forth to bring the Eucharist and God’s loving presence to those we serve.
Distinctive Identity
Our distinctive identity, therefore, tends to combine an appreciation for family and hospitality with a pioneering, entrepreneurial spirit that looks beyond the comforts of community. We recognize each individual’s God-given talents and stand ready to help these talents bear fruit by partnering with individuals and engaging with groups and societies.
Leadership/Structure
This outreach to many people and places occurs within a strong, expansive framework of leadership, guidance, and vowed commitment to poverty, chastity, and obedience. The heartbeat of the international Holy Cross community is found in Rome, but we fan out as members of 11 provinces around the world, plus vicariates and districts where we have a smaller presence. Our leadership is also unified across geographies and time frames by our Constitutions. These documents are updated versions of the guidelines written by Blessed Basil Moreau, C.S.C., and approved by the Vatican in 1857. They are aligned with Moreau’s originating insight, providing the focus and inspiration to make our many communities into one community, one family of faith, hope, and charity, patterned after the Holy Family.
Community
You may find one of our Holy Cross communities close to you, offering service that testifies to the character and values of the worldwide community called the Congregation of Holy Cross. It would be our joy to serve you as ministers of Christ’s love and as collaborators in the work to which God has called you.
Vocations
It would be a special joy if you feel called to join us in our work. As a community, we welcome new members as candidates and seminarians or those who are discerning their unique, providential path that may lead to life as a brother or priest in the Congregation of Holy Cross. We are happy to discuss your own path.
