In the tumultuous years following the French Revolution, Blessed Father Basil Moreau’s organized communities of priests, brothers, sisters, and lay people in France to minister to the pastoral and educational needs of the church. Committed to education, ministry, and missionary service throughout the world, these groups remained distinct while also uniting as the Congregation of Holy Cross. Led by Father Moreau, lay people performed pious and charitable works while also providing material and spiritual support for the Congregation. During the 1990’s, the Brothers of Holy Cross, inspired by Moreau’s original vision, formed “Holy Cross Associates” as a dedicated ministry with and for lay people. Today, Holy Cross Associates is “Spes Unica Associates” – named in honor of the Congregation’s motto, SPES UNICA, which means “Hail to the Cross, our only hope.” Under the sponsorship of the U.S. Holy Cross Province of Priests and Brothers, “Spes Unica Associates” connects lay people with the Congregation of Holy Cross mission, community and charisms in service, spirituality, community, and hope.
““So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Indeed someone may say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.”
– James 2:17-18
Generations of men have made and lived by their vows within the Congregation of Holy Cross. For the better part of two centuries, Holy Cross Priests and Brothers have made countless sacrifices and shown heroic virtue in service of the Gospel.
Blessed Basil Moreau, founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, formed the first association of Holy Cross in 1837 to serve the educational needs of post-revolution France. Soon after, he sent members of his fledgling congregation to Africa, Asia, and North America to serve the Church as educators in the faith.
Alfred Bessette entered the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1870 and took the name Brother André. As doorkeeper in one of the congregation’s schools, he fostered devotion to Saint Joseph among the sick and soon became known as the “Miracle Man” of Montreal for the miraculous cures attributed to his intercession. In 1904, he founded the world-renowned Oratory of Saint Joseph.
Servant of God Columba O’Neill was a cobbler at the University of Notre Dame for 38 years. Br. Columba was known for curing those with illness or ailment, taking no credit for the cures, but claiming they were the result of his “intercession to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”
