The University of Notre Dame’s third annual celebration of the feast of Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau, C.S.C., the 19th century French churchman who founded the Congregation of Holy Cross, will be observed with several events Jan. 17 to 20 (Sunday to Wednesday), collectively entitled “Holy Cross: Faith in Our Future.”
Blessed Basil Moreau’s feast day was established in September 2007 during a ceremony in Le Mans, France, when Father Moreau, whose religious order founded Notre Dame in 1842, was beatified by the Catholic Church. Beatification is a significant formal advancement toward “canonization,” the status of being officially and solemnly proclaimed a saint. The feast day falls on Jan. 20, the date of Father Moreau’s death in Le Mans in 1873.
Notre Dame’s celebration will begin with the liturgy of Vespers on Jan. 17 (Sunday) at 7:15 p.m. in the Lady Chapel of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The liturgy will include prayers reflecting the spirituality of Blessed Basil Moreau as well as prayers for vocations to Holy Cross.
Lawrence S. Cunningham, John A. O’Brien Professor of Theology at Notre Dame, will give the second annual Blessed Basil Moreau Lecture Jan. 18 (Monday) at 7:30 p.m. in the Andrews Auditorium of Geddes Hall. Cunningham’s lecture, titled “How is Your Heart? Toward a Profound Education,” will be followed by the comments of Ann Firth, Notre Dame’s associate vice president for student affairs.
An informal discussion, “Men in Black: Holy Cross Stories,” will be held Jan. 19 (Tuesday) at 7 p.m. in the Andrews Auditorium. Among participating Holy Cross priests who will offer reflections on their life and ministry in the Notre Dame community will be Rev. Paul Doyle, C.S.C., rector of Dillon Hall; Rev. Ralph Haag, C.S.C., rector of Saint Edwards Hall; Rev. Timothy Scully, C.S.C., professor of political science and director of Notre Dame’s Institute for Educational Initiatives; and Rev. William Lies, C.S.C., director of the Center for Social Concerns.
Mass for the feast of Blessed Basil Moreau will be celebrated Jan. 20 (Wednesday) at 5:15 p.m. in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Rev. Gregory Haake, C.S.C., will preside and give the homily. Father Haake, who serves as a teaching assistant in the Romance Languages and Literatures department at Notre Dame, recently spent a year in France, often visiting Le Mans, the birthplace of the Congregation of Holy Cross.
For more information about the celebration and the Congregation of Holy Cross, visit holycrossweek.nd.edu on the Web.