Bishop Patrick Neary is a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers, which celebrates its heritage in January.
He said, “When I wake up in the morning, I like to greet by name Brother Andre Bessette, our first Holy Cross saint, and then our Holy Cross religious who are in the pipeline to sainthood: Basil Moreau, Patrick Peyton, Vincent McCauley, Mother Mary of the Seven Dolors, Flavian Laplante, Theotonius Ganguly and Columba O’Neill. I’m also aware that there are many other Holy Cross men and women in heaven who are saints but whose names are not necessarily known to us. Yet all of them know us, their brothers and sisters in Holy Cross, and daily intercede for us before the throne of God. May we be empowered by their prayers to live out our vows and serve God’s holy people with the same passion, love and zeal that they have modelled for us in their own lives.”
Holy Cross Father William Lies, the Provincial Superior, said, “We lift up this month now just to remind ourselves that we’re all a part of this amazing band of faithful that continues to do the same today, throughout our ministries and beyond. Thank God for this moment to celebrate our forebears’ inspiration and our own efforts to live the mission of Congregation of Holy Cross as we build the Kingdom together today.”
The month of January was chosen because it encompasses many people and causes that are important to the Congregation.
The celebration timeline begins on Jan. 6 with the feast of St. André Bessette, the doorkeeper of one of the Congregation’s schools. He fostered a devotion to St. Joseph and among the sick he became known as the “Miracle Man” of Montreal for the miraculous cures attributed to his intercession. On Oct. 17, 2010, St. André Bessette became Holy Cross’ first saint when Pope Benedict XVI canonized him.
The birthday of Venerable Patrick Peyton is on Jan. 9. Known as the “Rosary Priest,” Venerable Patrick Peyton dedicated his life and ministry to spreading devotion to the Blessed Mother. He coordinated rosary events in more than 40 countries, gathering more than 28 million people worldwide in prayer. Father Peyton’s vision that “the family that prays together, stays together,” continues to resonate in the Church today.
On Jan. 20 is the feast of founder Blessed Basil Moreau, the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross. He was known not only as an inspiring professor, but also as a man of God who faithfully sought to grow in the image of Christ through prayer, personal asceticism and service. Moreau grew up amidst the turmoil of the French Revolution, and as a young priest, he felt compelled to revitalize a Church devastated by years of civil war.
National Catholic Schools week starts on Jan. 26. The zeal to educate minds and hearts in the truth binds the men of Holy Cross in one family and inspires the work done in the United States and abroad. National Catholic Schools Week celebrates the role Catholic education plays in the development of children and communities, coinciding with the Congregation’s dedication to being educators in the faith.
The 125th anniversary of the death of Mother Mary of Seven Dolors is on Jan. 29. She was the co-founder of the Marianites of Holy Cross.
“There are committed Holy Cross priests, brothers, sisters, and lay people around the world who wake up each day with the expressed goal to make God known, loved, and served,” said Dr. Chris Haug, Provincial Assistant and Director of Apostolic Mission and Charism. “We have a message of hope that we bring to this world in need, through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for our salvation. Holy Cross Heritage Month provides us a unique forum to raise awareness, to invite people in and to celebrate the commitment of these men and women with hope to bring, as we prepare the world for better times!”
Learn more about these ways to celebrate at holycrossmonth.org.