The “charism” of a religious community is its particular personality within the Church — that which makes it distinctive and sets it apart from others. The Congregation of Holy Cross is an apostolic, Roman Catholic community of priests and brothers committed to common table, common prayer, and a common mission.

Blessed Basil Moreau founded the order 175 years ago, but Holy Cross’ tradition, even as it is presently lived today, is rooted in the Congregation’s origins. To begin, Holy Cross is named for a place. The name of the order is Congregatio a Sancta Cruce (C.S.C.), literally the “Congregation of Holy Cross.” The Congregation is named for Sainte-Croix, a small French town on the outskirts of Le Mans in northwestern France, where Blessed Moreau founded it.

While the Congregation serves the Cross of Christ, its mission developed out of Sainte-Croix. It was a town with real people and real problems that needed both teachers and preachers. This rooting in a local community has shaped the mission of Holy Cross. To this day, Holy Cross seeks to foster deep commitments to Christ and the Church wherever it is found. Priests and brothers build communities in parishes, colleges, universities, schools, and international missionary locations.

To fill the spiritual and educational void of post-Revolutionary France, Blessed Moreau called on the priests and brothers of Holy Cross to be “educators in the faith,” who educate both mind and heart, with a preferential option for the poor, principally in schools, parishes, and mission work.

Blessed Moreau had great trust in divine providence, confidence in the “cross as our only hope,” and zeal to make “God known, loved, and served.” These qualities continue to define the Congregation today.

This distinctive charism and trust in divine providence has guided Holy Cross members to found world-renowned institutes of Catholic higher education and parishes across the United States and Mexico, along with other important ministries on five continents. The Congregation of Holy Cross is a vibrant and committed community thriving today with Blessed Moreau’s original zeal and passion to love and serve the people of God.

Portions taken from www.holycrossusa.org. For more information, visit the Congregation of Holy Cross website.