Sisters of Holy Cross honor founder's beatification

Intermountain Catholic

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Sisters of the Holy Cross from Utah and around the country enter the Cathedral of the Madeleine Jan. 20 for a Mass celebrated in honor of their congregation's founder, Blessed Basile-Antoine Moreau, on the anniversary of his birth. IC photo by Barbara S. Lee

SALT LAKE CITY — Blessed Basile-Antoine Marie Moreau, the founder of the Congregations of the Holy Cross Sisters and Brothers and Priests, was born Feb. 11, 1799. On the 209th anniversary of his birth Sisters of the Holy Cross from across the United States met in Salt Lake City to celebrate his beatification, which took place in his home Diocese of Le Mans, France, Sept. 15, 2007.

The sisters used the occasion to announce their congregation’s new associates program, which brings thousands of people who have had some ties to the Congregation of the Holy Cross, to pray and work for justice in accord with the order’s corporate stand on nonviolence.

In all, 1,374 Sisters of the Holy Cross have served the church in Utah over the last 132 years, with sisters still serving in the Diocesan Office of Catholic Schools, with Holy Cross Ministries, in schools, and in parishes.

In the Bishop Federal Library of the Diocesan Pastoral Center before Mass began, the sisters invited 46 people who had had some contact with the congregation in the past, to become Holy Cross associates.

Holy Cross Sister Mary Ann Pajakowski said many of the people present had attended the Holy Cross School of Nursing and St. Mary of the Wasatch.

As associates, they will join the sisters in prayer, "striving to live Jesus’ Gospel and carry on his mission by ministering in diverse ways to people around the world," the associates’ brochure said, and supporting the congregation in its work to eradicate poverty, promote just, mutual relationships among people, countries, and the entire earth community, and ending gender discrimination against women.

Sister Mary Ann Johnson said the purpose of the Holy Cross Associates Program is to provide opportunities to women and men who resonate with the congregation mission, to participate in the spirit and service ministries of Sisters of the Holy Cross in a formal way.

Membership in the associates’ program is open to anyone who is willing to:

• share in the spirit and mission of the Sisters of the Holy Cross in today’s global reality

• participate in a basic orientation, as well as in a minimum of two spiritual development opportunities annually

• reach out to others through prayer and service

"There are Sisters of the Holy Cross serving on four continents and in eight countries," Sister Mary Ann said. "We are at a crossroads as a world community, and we are called to address the needs of the 21st century. The Holy Cross Priests, Brothers, and Sisters constitute a family of Jesus, in which we are all equal members. We share the charisms of prayer, community, compassion, service, and actions for justice."

She said with the associates, too, they will continue the mission of Jesus, one of spirituality and interconnectedness, reverence for the earth, and a commitment to work nonviolently.

Sister Mary Margaret Weber of Raleigh, S. C., said the congregation continues to work for the transformation of human hearts and human relationships.

"Blessed Basile-Antoine Marie Moreau worked to transform the society of his day," she said. "We are inviting you to participate in his ministry of service and prayer, to participate in the transformation, the radical change of the today’s society."

Sr. Mary Margaret said the difference between hot water and boiling water with its powerful steam is just one degree.

"The Holy Cross Priests, Brothers, Sisters, and Associates are all part of the Moreau vision, the mission of Jesus, and you will always be connected to Holy Cross."

She said, like the Priests, Brothers, and Sisters of the Holy Cross, the associates will join in a ministry that is relationship-based and ministry-driven, one that has made a commitment to address the major issues of the day – in right relationship with one another. All of us follow the non-violent ways of Jesus.

"Commit to our mission or recommit, and help us transform the world."

During the Mass celebrating the beatification of Basile Moreau, Bishop John C. Wester spoke of the vital witness the Sisters of the Holy Cross have provided in the Diocese of Salt Lake City over the years.

"We are all called to be witnesses," Bishop Wester said. "We are called to make the mission of Jesus known by our words and our actions."

He spoke of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, who met Jesus, but did not know who he was until they sat down to eat together. "And they knew him in the breaking of the bread. The question is out there: If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

"Moreau was a real witness," the bishop said. "And so were the Holy Cross Sisters who made that first difficult trip from Indiana to Utah. And when they arrived here, they were busy giving witness, and members of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross continue giving witness here in Utah today. These sisters are living witnesses to Jesus’ mission here in our midst. Thank God for them. Thank God for you."