BL. BASIL MOREAU, PRIEST AND FOUNDER

BL. BASIL MOREAU, PRIEST AND FOUNDER - 20 JANUARY

BLESSED BASIL MOREAU, PRIEST AND FOUNDER

Basil Moreau, C.S.C. was born February 11, 1799 in Laigné-en-Belin, France. This holy priest was the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross from which two additional congregations emerged, namely the Marianites of Holy Cross and the Sisters of the Holy Cross.

In 1821, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Le Mans. He later became a seminary professor, teaching philosophy and theology, while enthusiastically continuing to engage in pastoral work. He was known not only as an inspiring professor, but also a man of God who faithfully sought to grow in the image of Christ through prayer, personal asceticism, and service.

As he had grown up amidst the turmoil of the French Revolution, he felt compelled to revitalise a Church devastated by years of civil war. With nearly two-thirds of France’s clergy and religious exiled or killed, Fr Moreau organized a group of Auxiliary Priests to preach, teach, and bring the message of Christ to those in neglected towns and villages.

In 1835, his bishop asked Fr Moreau also to oversee the Brothers of St Joseph, which had been founded by Rev. Jacques Dujarié to work as educators in rural parishes. He merged the priests and the brothers in 1837. This association took its name from the town where it was based, Sainte-Croix or Holy Cross.

Fr Moreau's vision was to maximize the spiritual vigor of this association by modeling it after the Holy Family. He completed the Holy Cross family by founding a group of sisters, known as the Marianites, who were also involved in education and evangelization.

Fr Moreau spent his last years in a house owned by the Marianite Sisters, who continued to provide for his daily meals and needs. During this time he preached retreats and missions and substituted for parish priests.

While replacing a priest at Yvre l'Eveque in December 1872, Fr Moreau became ill, and after his return to Le Mans, he died on January 20, 1873 at age 73.

Fr Moreau was beatified on September 15, 2007 in Le Mans, France.

Sources:

https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20070915_moreau_en.html

https://holycrosscongregation.org/holy-ones/blessed-basile-moreau/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil_Moreau

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Blessed Basil may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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