"Educators in the Faith" — A gift of the Holy Spirit that inspires, mobilizes, and builds up the Church and society.
"Once Jesus is known and loved in the world, everything will be renewed." — Blessed Basil Moreau, C.S.C.
A "charism" is a gift of the Spirit that is given individually or collectively for the common good and the building up of the Church. Inherent in this gift is a particular perception of the image of Jesus Christ and of the Gospel. It is, therefore, a source of inspiration, a dynamic commitment, and a capacity for realization.
Basile Moreau was a man open to the world of his time, namely 19th-century France. He knew the effects of revolutionary change and social upheaval. He also experienced hostility towards religion, the growth of secularism, and widespread dechristianization. He wanted to be present to a society in search of itself, called to work for the restoration of the Christian faith and regeneration of society.
Father Moreau did not want to confine himself merely to post-revolutionary French society; he also wanted to announce the Gospel in other cultures. His zeal knew no borders. The charism of Holy Cross is to renew the Christian faith, to regenerate society, to "bring about better times" by a constant response to the most pressing needs of the Church and society.
To "re-enact the life of Jesus" and make it "a faithful imitation." Jesus serves as our model by his life, words, and actions — moving ceaselessly among the poor.
Holy Cross is the work of God. We attend to God's constant presence, for God gives us the desire to further His will in all things.
"Ave Crux, Spes Unica" — The cross is the source of salvation and liberation. Christ crucified gives us apostolic strength and courage in trials.
Union among members in imitation of the Holy Family. Just as branches are united with the vine, we are united with Jesus and one another.
We are inspired by the legacy of Blessed Basil Moreau to become superb educators of mind and heart wherever we are sent; to evangelize with zeal, proclaiming hope in the cross; and to nurture within our institutions a spirit of Christian family and discipleship in imitation of the Holy Family.
Our purpose is to extend Fr. Moreau's philosophy of Christian education and to uphold his standards for creating citizens for service to Church and world. Our model is Jesus Christ who was called "Teacher". Our call is to follow him as Educators in the Faith.
We participate in God's mission as "Educators in the Faith" reaching out to the afflicted and in a preferential way to the poor and oppressed (C2:12-13). We thereby seek to embody with zeal the mission of Jesus, sharing in his prophetic ministry as priests and Brothers together.
To live faithfully in conformity to Christ, our life in Holy Cross must be marked by these characteristics:
Making us dependent upon God in all things.
Recognizing the presence of Christ within and among us.
Sharing in the lives and sufferings of others, as Jesus and Mary did.
Risking all for the kingdom of God.
Setting our hearts on fire; the audacity to make all things new.
Marking every aspect of our ministry with excellence.
Concern for the poor and oppressed.
To the people we serve and to our lay collaborators.
So that people will "see how they love one another."
