Basil Moreau: Essential Writings

“In this era of the New Evangelization, we can learn much from the inspiring example and writings of Blessed Basil Moreau, a holy priest who embraced with passionate zeal the mission of the new evangelization in nineteenth-century France, facing challenges not unlike our own. This wonderful collection of his writings provides rich material for spiritual reflection. Moreau's spirituality, focused on the imitation of Christ, trust in divine providence, and hope in the victory of the cross, reveals to us the necessary foundation for all our evangelizing endeavors: prayer and friendship with Christ.” --Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend

“This much-anticipated and brilliantly compiled volume responds to the need for an English-language anthology of the writings of Blessed Basil Moreau, the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross. For students of history and religion, as well as for anyone seeking to understand and benefit personally from the profound spirituality of Father Moreau, this book is an absolute treasure.” --Most Reverend Charles J. Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland

“Blessed Basil Moreau had a singular ability to address problems with a combination of intellectual acuity, spiritual wisdom, and practicality. His thoughts on Catholic education and the virtues of teachers are especially noteworthy. We would do well to reread them at the beginning of each academic year. Grove and Gawrych have assembled a wonderful introduction to the mind and character of the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross.” --John Garvey, President, The Catholic University of America

“In their steady, non-intrusive editing and organization of Basil Moreau's key writings, Grove and Gawrych make tangibly near the wide-ranging and energetic thoughts of a man notable for his ability to live deeply into his own time yet beyond it.... In accessible and smooth translation, these essential writings reveal that Moreau's spiritual vision is powerful, ongoing, edifying, and gritty, the contribution of a man whose consequences have remained anything but hidden over the ages, under the standard of the cross, to the greater glory of God.” --Robert Geisinger, S.J., Procurator General, Society of Jesus, Professor of Canon Law, Pontifical Gregorian University

“By retrieving the words of their sainted founder, Basil Moreau, two young Holy Cross religious help us to understand the mind and heart of a man who provided (and still provides) the deep impetus that urges the Holy Cross family to proclaim the Cross as our only hope. This inestimable collection will help sustain the Congregation in its charism and give ample encouragement to those who share in its mission.” --Lawrence S. Cunningham, John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology (Emeritus), University of Notre Dame

“These writings are a rich bequest to the Holy Cross family by Blessed Basil Moreau, who shared his vision and design of a Holy Cross education; urged the imitation of Christ as the way to know, love, and serve God; and lived the motto of Holy Cross as he accepted his own cross in his darkest hour and deepest anguish. Amidst chaos and during a time of religious persecution, Moreau showed how the passion and faith of one man brought God back into a world that had rejected him and into the new world that did not know him.”--Carolyn Y. Woo, President and CEO, Catholic Relief Services

Basil Moreau (17991873) was the French priest who founded the Congregation of Holy Cross from which three additional congregations were founded, namely the Marianites of Holy Cross, the Sisters of the Holy Cross, and the Sisters of Holy Cross. Father Moreau was beatified on September 15, 2007 in Le Mans, France.