Our
Founder
Blessed
Basil Anthony Mary Moreau, C.S.C.
(1799-1873)
Beginnings
Basil Moreau was
born on February 11, 1799, in Laigné-en-Belin, a small French village south of Le Mans. He was the ninth in a family of fourteen
children, three of whom died at an early age.
Basil’s father, Louis Moreau, and his mother, Louise Pioger, were
farmers. Louis Moreau was also a
wholesale wine merchant.
The pastor of
Laigné-en Belin recognized quickly the signs of a priestly vocation in the
young boy and encouraged him to pursue studies that would lead him to the
priesthood. Basil began his studies in
1814 at the seminary college of Château-Gontier and in 1817 at the diocesan
seminary of Le Mans. He was ordained to the priesthood at the age
of 22 on August 12, 1821. Following
ordination his bishop sent the young priest to Paris where under the direction of the
Sulpicians he received further training in theology and spirituality. Basil
Moreau returned to the seminary in Le
Mans in 1823 where for thirteen years he taught
successively philosophy, dogma and Sacred Scripture.
Foundation of Holy Cross
Endowed with an
active and enterprising nature, while still a seminary professor, the young
priest sought to respond to the pastoral needs of the time. In 1835, Basil Moreau formed a group of
auxiliary priests who would preach parish missions and retreats throughout the
countryside. That same year, his bishop
asked him to assume the direction of a fledgling community of teaching
brothers, Brothers of Saint Joseph, founded fifteen years earlier by Father
Jacques Dujarié, pastor of Ruillé-sur-Loir.
In Le Mans,
in 1837, Basil joined these two groups into a single entity, whose aim was to
provide quality education for the youth and to evangelize the people of the
surrounding country parishes. The
educational institutions undertaken by the priests and brothers quickly
acquired a reputation for excellence that extended beyond the confines of the city
of Le Mans.
On August 15,
1840, Basil Moreau professed the vows of religious life along with several of
his followers. With the arrival in 1841 of Léocadie Gascoin, who took the name
of Mother Mary of the Seven Dolors, he laid the solid foundation for the
women’s branch of his congregation, the Marianites of Holy Cross, thus
realizing the fulfillment of his plan to establish a community consisting of
three distinct societies of priests, brothers and sisters. It was at this time
that Basil Moreau added a missionary dimension to his community. In 1840, a small group of religious was sent
to Algeria; the following
year another group left for the United
States.
In 1847, another group of priests, brothers and sisters went to Canada and in 1853, the congregation was
established in East Bengal which is today Bangladesh. In 1869 the Marianites of Holy Cross in Indiana received their autonomy and became the
Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross; in Canada,
in 1883 the Marianites in Canada
became the branch known as the Congregation of the Sisters of Holy Cross
(Soeurs de Sainte-Croix).
Basil Moreau’s Vision
Spirit of union
What Basil Moreau
sought most often to instill in his religious was a spirit of union. He often
repeated the statement: “In union there
is strength; dissension leads to ruin.” He desired union not just because of
the challenge of three religious societies existing together; he believed that
the members of any religious community if it is to survive must imitate the
first Christians who had but one heart
and one soul. Following this line of
thought, he gave as examples illustrating this spirit of union the Holy Family
of Nazareth and the union of the Three Persons in the Trinity. He wrote in one of his first circular letters: “Since we form with Him (Jesus Christ) but
one body and draw life from the same Spirit, he urges us to remain united among
ourselves in Him in order to be one like the branches and the vine, borne by
the same root and nourished by the same sap, and forming together but one
plant.” It was for this reason that he
consecrated the priests to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the brothers to Saint Joseph and the
sisters to the Heart of Mary, and the entire congregation to Mary under the
title of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Divine Providence
In addition to the
spirit of union and mutual collaboration, Basil Moreau strove to promote among
the priests, brothers and sisters of Holy Cross a firm reliance on divine Providence.
Seeing himself as merely a tool in the hands of a provident God, he wrote: “Holy Cross is not a human work, but God’s
very own. … I beg you to renew
yourselves in the spirit of your vocation, which is the spirit of poverty, chastity
and obedience … If such is our conduct, we can rely on the help of Providence …
Providence never fails to provide for all the necessities of those who abandon
themselves to its guidance in accomplishing their duties … The Congregation of
Holy Cross is God’s work, and by the very fact that He has not permitted its
ruin despite the many terrible attacks of the enemy of all good, he wants it to
continue in existence and to develop in even greater proportions.”
Apostolic zeal
Linked to this
reliance on Providence,
the founder of Holy Cross saw flowing from it the growth among his religious of
an apostolic spirit that is best described as a zeal for the mission. In his book Christian Pedagogy, published in 1856, Father Moreau writes, “By
zeal is understood that flame of burning desire which one feels to make God
known and served and thus save souls.
Apostolic activity is therefore the essential character of this virtue,
and (ministers) who are animated by this virtue will fulfill their duties with
eagerness, affection, courage and perseverance … Our zeal is always guided by
charity, everything is done with strength and gentleness; strength because we
are courageous and unshakable in the midst of pain, difficulty and trials … and
with gentleness because we have the tenderness of our Divine Model.”
Ecclesiastical Approbation
It was in 1857
that Basil Moreau attained the height of his career. That year Pope Pius IX granted official
approbation to the men’s congregation.
This special moment was marked by a thanksgiving celebration that took
place in the church
of Our Lady of Holy Cross. Ten years later papal approbation was granted
to the Marianites of Holy Cross. This
was also the beginning of his greatest period of trial which ended with his
resignation as superior general in 1866.
Death of the Founder
Forced by his
congregation to live apart from the community, Basil Moreau spent his remaining
years preaching retreats with great success in the country parishes surrounding
Le Mans. He was taken ill on January 1,
1873 and died twenty days later in the small house where he had been living
with his two sisters. Mother Mary of the
Seven Dolors was with him at the time of his death. The Marianites of Holy Cross never abandoned
him and always remained faithful to him.
It was not until
1893 that subsequent superiors general strove to revive veneration of Basil
Moreau and devotion to his memory.
During this time, the congregations founded by Basil Moreau grew and
spread throughout the world.
Holy Cross Today
Today the men and
women of Holy Cross have established and still maintain educational
institutions as well as important social and pastoral ministries in France, North and South America, the Caribbean,
Africa and Asia. It is through their commitment to the vowed
life, their zeal for the mission and the diversity of ministry that the
priests, sisters and brothers of Holy Cross continue to live out the vision of
Basil Moreau.
Beatification
Although his cause
for beatification was introduced in the diocese of Le Mans in 1946, it was not until 1994 that
the study of the virtues of the founder of Holy Cross was presented to the
Vatican Congregation for the Cause of the Saints. The study was approved and on April 12, 2003,
Pope John Paul II declared Basil Moreau’s practice of virtue to be heroic thus
bestowing upon the servant of God the title of Venerable. Two years later, on April 28, 2006, His Holiness, Pope
Benedict XVI, authorized the promulgation of the decree regarding the miracle
attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God, Basil Moreau.
Finally, even if
the name of the Congregation of Holy Cross does not spring from the founder’s
special devotion to the cross of Christ – Holy Cross (Sainte-Croix) was the
name of the Le Mans suburb where the congregation was founded – Father Moreau
did not fail to make use of this title when insisting on the role of the cross
in the spiritual life of his sons and daughters. He gave as a motto to his community the verse
from the liturgical hymn: O Crux ave, spes unica! Hail, O Cross, our only hope.
***************
1799 Born, Feb.
11, Laigné-en-Belin (Sarthe), France; eighth child of Louis Moreau (+1830),
farmer, and Louis Pioger (+1825).
1814-1817 Attends
the school at Chateau-Gontier
August 15th: Father Moreau makes his
religious profession
1817-1821 Attends
Seminary in Le Mans
1820 In Ruillé,
Father Dujarié establishes the Brothers of St. Joseph
1821 Aug. 12,
ordained a priest by Bishop de la Myre of Le Mans (Ordained at 22 years of
age).
1821 Oct. 11,
Basil arrived at Saint-Sulpice in Paris to continue his theological studies -
Theology and Spirituality - under the Sulpicians.
1822 June - Fr.
Moreau assisted Fr. Dujarié at the first annual retreat of the Brothers of St.
Joseph.
1822 July – Fr.
Moreau entered the Solitude at Issy; Fr. Mollevaut was superior
1823 Became
professor of philosophy, minor seminary of Tessé
1825 Became
professor of dogma, St. Vincent’s Seminary, Le Mans
1830 Appointed
professor of Sacred Scripture, St. Vincent’s. Became Vice Rector and Spiritual
Director at Seminary
1830 § Brothers
were located in 46 schools and one novitiate§ Mushrooming of schools§ Brothers
novitiate lasted only a few weeks§ Br. Andre was running the community§ An
epidemic - cholera outbreak at this time
1833 Bishop
Bouvier and Fr. Mollevant were spiritual directors of Moreau
1833 Bishop asked
Moreau to oversee the establishment of the Good Shepherd Sisters. Moreau wrote
the rules and later on became their superior.
1834 Jan. 22, J.
B. Bouvier elected bishop of Le Mans; Fr. Heurtebize appointed rector of St.
Vincent’s and Moreau named ass’t. Superior.
1835 Aug., Moreau,
2 priests and 2 seminarians went on retreat at Latrop and organized the
Auxiliary Priests of Le Mans (to preach missions)
1835 § There were
69 Brothers in 27 schools§ Brother Andre wrote the Bishop for Help
1835 Aug. 31, at
conclusion of Brothers’ annual retreat at Ruille, Bp. Bouvier accepted
Dujarie’s resignation and named Moreau as director of the community.
1835 Nov. 1,
Moreau moved mother house and novitiate of Brothers to his property of Notre
Dame du Bel Air (3 kgm from seminary) in the Sainte-Croix quarter of Le
Mans.
1835 Introduces
vows – Br. Andre 1st to take vows
1836 Sept., Moreau
and 9 Auxiliary Priests leave St. Vincent’s for a rented house. (Bouvier sent
Moreau from the seminary!)
1836 Nov.,
Brothers open elementary boarding school in the above house.
1837 Mar. 1,
Fundamental Act of Union between Brothers and Priests signed. This was
basically a legal act. This formed the Association of Sainte Croix (Holy
Cross). United were 54 brothers and 7 priests
1838 First sisters
at Holy Cross
1838 Oct. 6,
boarding prep school opened at N. -D. De Ste-Croix, Fr. Pierre Chappé, director
1840 Apr. 28,
first three Brothers left for Algeria (This lasted for about 33 years) (4
brothers and 1 priest of which Br Andre was a member)
1840 § 1840-1864
was a period of expansion – missionaries were went out every 2 years
1840 Aug. 15, Moreau and four priests make vows in
C.S.C.
1840 Aug.22: the
Association of Holy Cross is born
1840 Oct. 18:
Opens Novitiate for the Priest at La Solitude
1840 Sisters founded (trained by Good Shepard
Sisters) - St. Mary of the Seven Dolours was one of the 1st sisters of the
Marianites of Holy Cross
1841 Aug. 4, first
four Marianites took the habit (includes Sr. Mary of the Seven Sorrows)
1841 Aug. 5, seven religious left for U.S. (6
brothers + 1 priest) Fr. Sorin, age 26; Br. Vincent, age 43, Two novices – age
16
1843 Marianite
Sisters are sent to the United States
1844 Received the
vows of Leocadie Gascoin and three Marianites.
1847 Apr. 25,
foundation in Canada - 1 priest, 1 seminarian, 8 brothers and 3 sisters left Le
Mans for Canada; arrived Saint Laurent, May 27.
1849 Father Moreau
is elected superior general for life
1849 Jan. 13,
Institution de N. –D. De Ste-Croix fully accredited.
1850 Nov. 13,
Basil arrived in Rome with four Brothers to open an orphanage at Santa Prisca.
Nove. 23, he kissed the foot of Pope Pius IX during ceremony at St. Peter’s.
Nov. 26, audience with pope. Dec. 9, Pope gave C.S.C. The direction of Vigna
Pia.
1852 Apr., affairs
of C.S.C. Transferred to the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the
Faith in Rome. June, evangelization of East Bengal entrusted to C.S.C. by
Propagada Fide. Nov. 5, three priests, two Brothers and Three Sisters left Le
Mans for Bengal. By year’s end, C.S.C. consists of 75 priest, 281 brothers and
121 sisters.
1853 Mission in
Eastern Bengal
1855 October:
Father Moreau's "night of the spirit"
1856 Foundation in
Paris. Foundation in Poland.
1856 May 19, papal
brief in favor of C.S.C.
1857 Apr. 27, Pius
IX approved constitutions of C.S.C.
1857 Sisters break
off from Congregation
1857 Moreau
visited North American foundations.
1858 June 28,
first Constitution and Rule of the Marianites approved by Bp. of Le Mans.
1860 Aug., first
general chapter of the Marianites
1860 Nov. 25,
Ordination of Pierre Dufal as vicar apostolic of East Bengal.
1861 Affair of Br.
Marie-Julien in Paris plunges C.S.C. into debt.
1862 Visitation of
the North American Houses by Fr. Charles Moreau.
1863 Aug., general
chapter authorized erection of provinces for France and North America. French
Province established; North American Province postponed.
1865 May,
provincial chapter establishes North American Province with Sorin as provincial
and seat at Notre Dame du Lac. Nov., Moreau called to Rome by Vatican and goes
in Dec.
1866 June 14,
Moreau’s resignation as superior general accepted by Pope Pius IX; Fr. Pierre
Chappe become vicar general of C.S.C.
1866 Aug., general
chapter separated North American Provinces into provinces of Indiana and Canada
and elected Pierre Dufal as superior general.
1868 Feb., Dufal
resigned as superior general. July, general chapter elected Fr. Edward Sorin
superior general, transferred generalate to Paris and ordered mother house in
Le Mans to be sold to pay community’s debts. Moreau is out of office and out of
community
1869 April. 28,
Moreau moved out of N. –D. de Ste-Croix to a house across the street owned by
his sisters. July 27, Sisters of the Holy Cross (St. Mary’s Indiana)
canonically separated from Marianites.Oct. 2, furnishings of N. –D. de
Ste-Croix sold.
1869-1873
Moreau spent his last years in the house owned
by his sisters at 20, rue Notre Dame (today: Jeanne d’Arc). The Marianite
Sisters, whose mother house was a few streets away, brought him his meals. He
continued to be active as a preacher of retreats and parish missions and in
taking the place of parish priests who were ill or needed to be away. While
replacing the pastor at Yvre-l’Eveque, near Le Mans, in December 1872, he
became ill and died at age 73 after his return to Le Mans on Jan. 20, 1873.
1955 The cause for
his beatification was introduced in Rome.
2003 On Saturday,
April 12th (2003), at a consistory held in the Vatican, Pope John Paul II
proclaimed the heroic virtues of the Servant of God, Basil Moreau, and bestowed
on him the title venerable.
2007 Basil Anthony Mary Moreau declared Blessed -
September 15
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