Le Mans, France, Oct 8, 2007 / 08:07 am
Like shepherds and Magi, the family of Holy Cross came from their mission fields in many countries to the nativity crèche of Father Basile Anthony Mary Moreau, CSC. There in his Bethlehem, called Laigne-en-Belin, he was also re-born in Christ; there the seed of his vocation as the founder of Holy Cross was planted in the rich soil of a profound faith in the power of the Cross, of a radical trust in Divine Providence and of a zealous love for the mission of Christ.
This seed grew to a mighty tree. Many of its branches were gathered in the plaza before the church of his Baptism on that Friday morning of September 14, 2007, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It was like a new Pentecost, a gathering of the nations, a new language of unity bonding together the women and men of Holy Cross: the laity—single and married; the religious—priests, brothers and sisters. Truly, it was the re-birth of a new family of Holy Cross.
The beatification celebration was launched with the ringing of the original bell engraved with the words, N.D. Sainte-Croix au Mans in 1842. In the early days it summoned the family of Holy Cross to daily prayer and work. On this September day its intonation echoed in all the church bells of the diocese of Le Mans. A commemorative placque was unveiled as the bishop of Le Mans, the pastor of the parish, the deputy mayors of Laigne-en-Belin and the leaders of the many branches of Holy Cross gathered around it. Representatives of the various nations came forward with their flags held high. All stood beneath a large globe of the world which hung from the arch above the church door. The internationality of Holy Cross was visibly experienced. A song of joy proclaimed our mission with Christ—the saving love of God and the word of God in our hearts offered with open arms to welcome the poor to a new life.
We returned to Le Mans for a prayer vigil in the Church of Notre-Dame de Sainte-Croix, the conventual church of the Holy Cross Family, built by Father Moreau. Before entering the church we passed through the courtyard of the former school which Father Moreau had established. Presently it serves as barracks and recruitment offices for the French military—a poignant reminder of the sacrifices our founder endured to promote a mission of a more noble and peace-filled purpose.