Basil Moreau, C.S.C (Feb. 11th, 1799 – Jan. 20th, 1873), he was a French priest who founded the Congregation of the Holy Cross Priests and Brothers in 1841 and three distinct Congregation of Sisters: The Marianita’s of Holy Cross (France), Sisters of the Holy Cross (United States) and Sisters of Holy Cross (Canada).
Rev. Jacques-François Dujarié was a key figure in the foundation of the Congregation of Holy Cross. His heroic determination to serve the material and spiritual needs of the poor in France helped to lay the groundwork for the mission of Holy Cross throughout the world
Dujarié was born in Rennes-en-Grenouilles, France, on December 9, 1767. He grew up wanting to be a priest and was a seminarian in Angers when the French Revolution broke out in 1789. Two years later, in 1791, when the Revolutionary government required all clergy to take an oath of fidelity to the state, the seminary disbanded and Dujarié returned home.
1837
Foundation
The Congregation of Holy Cross, a Roman Catholic religious order established in 1837 in France, almost immediately provided missionaries to foreign lands. In 1840, religious were sent to Algiers; one year later, others were sent to Indiana. In 1853 Holy Cross took on the mission of East Bengal (now Bangladesh).
1958
Holy Cross in East Africa
It was in 1958 that the Congregation answered the mission call at the invitation of Jean Ogez, W.F., Bishop of Mbarara, in western Uganda. On November 4, 1958, four members from the U.S. arrived in East Africa to start a mission.
1960
Erection of the District of East Africa
In 1960 it was erected as the District of East Africa, and the then Fr. Vincent McCauley was appointed the first District Superior. On April 19, 1961, Pope John XXIII erected the Diocese of Fort -Portal and appointed Rt. Rev. Vincent Joseph McCauley C.S.C., now Servant of God as its first Bishop. While Bishop McCauley made a significant contribution in promoting the local Church and ministering to refugees, He also fostered the establishment of institutions of learning at all levels and encouraged indigenous clergy in East Africa. In 1953, the Diocese was detached from Mbarara Diocese, which up to 1953 was Rwenzori Vicariate. Bishop McCauley was zealousy opted for new parishes opened: Bukwali (1960), Munteme (1961), Kahunge (1963), Kasese (1966), Kasanga (1968). 1962 Saaka property was purchased, which now serves as our novitiate. More ministry efforts like St Augustine T.T.C. (1959), St Leo’s College (1961), and St Mary’s Seminary (1966) were part of the Holy Cross educators’ ministry response to educate Minds and Hearts.
1968
Ministry and challenges
Times of working to restore Hope and be present with the people we serve. In 1968 there, Uganda experienced rapid growth, which required more presence in ministry and opening up to help our people deal with social, political, and natural calamities. In 1966 the Earthquake hit western Uganda, leaving a huge infrastructural breakdown, many people homeless in our parishes, and tearing down the Cathedral. In 1968 the new Cathedral was built under Bishop McCauley. Other issues included over 12,000 Rwandese refugees (1960 genocide) in Kahunge Parish + Bakiga immigrants. Obote government planning expulsion of missionaries (1969) (Aux Bp) Reign of Idi Amin (1971-1979) Expulsion of Asians (1972). Amidst all, the bove ministry kept growing in the hands of the zealous missionaries. Bp McCauley handed over to Bp Magambo (Dec 1972) … goes to Nairobi until death (1982)
1973
Our Impact on Education
Consolidation:
1978
Time to move outside Uganda, start ministries and formation program for the indigenous
In 1978 Priests began Dandora Parish in Kenya, founded on a small model of Christian Community to build a strong community of faith.
Act of Faith: – Like Abraham- ‘I will make your descendants like the stars of the sky’ with only 13 U.S. Historical Members in 1980, plans began to be made to begin formation programs in E. Africa, and so began an act of faith: if it is God’s plan it will succeed!
Formation:
1988
Unification of Brothers and Priests
1990's
Opening New Ministries and Est. formation Houses
All these happened with challenges like the Earthquake in F/P (1994) … 1994 Rwanda Genocide … ADF war (1995- 2002) … Senior Members’ from the U.S serving in the district began to reduce leaving Br Alan Harrod, Br Bernie Klim, Fr Dick Stout, Fr Jim Karafa, Fr Pat Gafney, Br Joe Walsh, Br Robert Nebus, Fr Tom O’Hara, Br Bill Zaydak (CSCs) mentoring the indigenous religious and priest into leadership of ministries and those who completed their novitiate during this period at Holy Cross Novitiate Saaka during that transitory time include 16: Fr Fulgens Katende … to Fr. Fred Jenga (CSCs)
The Year 2000's
Divine Providence: God’s promise to Abraham … and to C.S.C. in East Africa begins to shine forth
Maturity:
Challenges: Rapid growth in a District composed of a large proportion of very young members brings along its own ‘growing challenges’
2004
Province Status
The District of East Africa began a process of moving toward Province Status (2004). Membership: These ‘Millennial Members’ are almost totally made up of East Africans. C.S.C. members coming from the U.S.A. in this period were very few, e.g.: Frs Pat Neary (now Bishop Patrick Neary of the Diocese of St. Cloud U.S.A., Dave Burrell, Claude Pomerleau, Michael Matthews and Jim King. Those who completed their novitiate during this period:
Fr David Eleaona, Ronnie Kawooya, Cyprian Binaka and all the others, down to those who professed in July 2018. In April 1958 on his ‘come and see’ trip to Uganda Fr McCauley wrote: This is going a long, long way to look over a mission that 3 – 30 C.S.C.’s might work in all their lives … it better be good!
The Holy cross family
The Congregation of Holy Cross, East African Province of Priests and Brothers is currently home of …
Rev George R Macinnes, C.S.C Nairobi – Kenya
Sem Evarest Mulinda, C.S.C Fort Portal – Uganda
Sem Aristarik Safari Jinja – Uganda
Fr James Karaffa Nairobi- Kenya
Sem Czesto Mushi Nairobi -Kenya
Deacon Erogi Asiimwe Fort Portal – Uganda
Bishop McCauley, C.S.C
Notre Dame, Indiana
Brother Robert Nebus, C.S.C
Father Dick Staut Notre Dame – USA
