C.S.C. History
| 1700s | 1800-1850 | 1850-1900 | 1900-1950 | 1950-2000 | 2000s |
1700s
1799—Father Basil Anthony Moreau, founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, is born.
1800-1850
1820—Father James Dujarie founded the Brothers of St. Joseph, a group of zealous men assisting in elementary education in the French countryside.
1835—In the troubled period following the French Revolution, Father Basil Anthony Moreau, a priest of the Diocese of LeMans, France, assembles a group of priests to serve in education and evangelization.
1837—The Congregation of Holy Cross is born when Father Moreau combines the Brothers of St. Joseph and his group of priests into one association to serve pastoral and educational needs.
1840—Father Moreau makes his vows as a priest of Holy Cross. He sends priests and brothers to Algeria to establish a seminary and to direct schools.
1841—Father Moreau also adds to the association a group of women to be called the Marianites, following the model of the Holy Family. He also sends a group of men to Indiana.
1847—The Congregation extended into Canada by establishing itself at Saint-Laurent, near Montreal.
1850-1900
1852—The Congregation sent priests, sisters, and brothers to East Bengal in the Diocese of Dhaka.
1857—The Constitutions of the Congregation are accepted, and the focus of ministry is confirmed as twofold: preaching the Word of God and Christian education.
1867—The Marianite Sisters gained independent worldwide approval, leading later to their presence as the Sisters of the Holy Cross in the United States and the Sisters of Holy Cross in Canada..
1868—The Motherhouse is sold to pay debts and the general administration of the Congregation leaves LeMans, France.
1870—Brother Andre Bessette, CSC, joins the Congregation, later influencing many people through his simple way of service and devotion to St. Joseph.
1873—Father Basil Moreau, CSC, dies on January 20.
1900-1950
1903—Government suppression. Holy Cross priests and brothers leave France as the government suppresses all teaching orders of religious. Administrative headquarters moves to the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.
1930—Father James Donahue, Superior General of the order, buys back the chapel of the motherhouse in LeMans and strives to strengthen the historical solidarity of the order, which has been growing internationally.
1946—The Cause of Father Basil Moreau is introduced at the Vatican. Father Moreau now receives the title of “Servant of God.”
1950-2000
1982— Brother Andre Bessette, C.S.C., “The Miracle Man of Montreal” and founder of St. Joseph’s Oratory, is beatified by Pope John Paul II and receives the title “Blessed.”1986—After two decades of deliberations, the revised Constitutions of the Congregation are approved by the Holy See. They aim to bring the Congregation into closer alignment with the founding inspirations and intents of Father Moreau.
2000s
2003—Father Moreau is given the title “venerable” as his Cause for beatification and canonization advances.
2007—Pope Benedict XVI approves the beatification of Venerable Basil Moreau. Father Moreau is given the title “blessed,” and beatification ceremonies take place on Sept. 15 in Le Mans, France.
2010—Pope Benedict XVI approves the canonization of Blessed Andre Bessette, C.S.C.. Brother Andre will receive the title “saint” on October 17, 2010 at canonization ceremonies in Rome.