Spirituality For You?

The specific expression of Holy Cross spirituality will differ somewhat from province to province, from community to community. That is one reason why it is important for you to discuss this subject with a Holy Cross community member close to you and then let him direct you to an appropriate vocations office that can give you a bigger picture and can help you to find where you fit within this picture.

Here is a very general outline of spiritual practices that can give you an initial glimpse of where you might fit within the picture of life in the Roman Catholic faith that energizes both the unity and the diversity of the Congregation of Holy Cross around the world.

Regular Spiritual Practices

Our Constitutions describe us as an apostolic congregation whose attachments and responsibilities draw us into various communities. As we serve alongside the people of God, we also have the need to pray and worship the Lord together, “in some regular rhythm,” as brothers and priests together in our own communities. Our particular patterns of shared prayer include these:

Morning and Evening Divine Office

These are the two chief hours of the Church’s daily Liturgy of the Hours.

Feasts and Observances of the Congregation

  • The Solemnity of Our Lady of Sorrows is a day of remembrance for the entire Congregation because Blessed Basil Moreau called upon Mary under the title of Our Lady of Sorrows as the patroness for the entire original assembly of sisters, brothers, and priests.
  • The Solemnities of the Sacred Heart and of Saint Joseph are the principal feasts of the priests and brothers, respectively.
  • We also gather together to observe special days in the life of our Congregation, such as professions, ordinations, jubilees, and funerals.

Devotions to Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows

  • We also have the benefit, as our Constitutions put it, of sound popular devotions such as those to the Mother of God.

Prayer and Meditation

  • There is an important time—at least one-half hour daily—for offering prayer to God quietly and alone, entering the mystery of God who chooses to dwell in the midst of his people, say our Constitutions. “We contemplate the living God, offering ourselves to be drawn into His love and learning to take that same love to heart.” Assimilating sacred Scripture and reading books on the spiritual life are important practices.
  • An annual retreat for several days of undisturbed prayer and reflection is a part of Holy Cross spiritual practice.