“Our mission sends us across borders of every sort.” – Constitution 2:17
The ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross span 17 countries, with more than 1,000 finally professed priests and religious brothers serving in educational institutions, parishes, healthcare facilities, and social outreach ministries.
While they minister abroad, we in the Holy Cross Mission Center, a ministry of the U.S. Province of Priests and Brothers, work from our base in Notre Dame, Indiana, raising awareness through events and programs, building school and parish partnerships across borders, and matching donors with the critical needs of the Congregation’s international ministries.
You are invited to join our efforts this year! Here are 7 opportunities for you to join the Mission:
1. Attend a Notre Dame Boxing Tournament | Baraka Bouts & Bengal Bouts
Step into the ring of solidarity by supporting Notre Dame’s historic student boxing tournaments. Boxers train relentlessly to raise crucial funds for Holy Cross missions in Uganda and Bangladesh. Each fall since 2002, the Notre Dame Women’s Boxing Club hosts a multi-night boxing tournament called Baraka Bouts to raise funds for Holy Cross schools in Uganda. Likewise, the Men’s Boxing Club, with origins back to the time of legendary Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne, hosts its philanthropic event, the Bengal Bouts tournament, to raise funds for Holy Cross ministries in Bangladesh—schools, parishes, and rehabilitation facilities. By joining those clubs as a student, attending a tournament event as a fan, or donating to a boxer’s fundraising page, you can support Holy Cross missions thousands of miles away.
Discover this year’s tournament dates and buy tickets at ndboxing.holycrossmissions.org.
2. Build enduring relationships across borders | Twinning Program
Build a direct, transformative bridge between your local parish or school and a Holy Cross community abroad. Through our Twinning Program, communities share faith, culture, and mutual support, moving beyond simple charity to foster deep, long-lasting friendships and solidarity.
Learn more about how your community can Twin at twinning.holycrossmissions.org.
3. Pray for the Holy Cross missions abroad | World Mission Month (October)
Every October, the global Church unites to celebrate its baptismal call to Mission. With so many worthy causes in the world, World Mission Month (WMM) is an opportunity for all in the Holy Cross family to reflect on how best to support the Church’s work of evangelization and integral human development. Holy Cross parishes around the U.S. are involved in WMM events, and we invite everyone to join us for a Holy Cross Missions Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame on Oct. 10–11, 2026, after the Fighting Irish take on Stanford.
To read Pope Leo XIV’s World Mission Sunday message, visit worldmissionmonth.holycrossmissions.org.
4. Visit an international Holy Cross apostolate | Immersion Experiences
Experience the international Mission of the Congregation of Holy Cross firsthand through group immersion trips to South Asia, Latin America, or Africa, spending time alongside local Holy Cross religious and their lay collaborators, listening to the stories of the local community, and gaining a life-changing perspective on the global Church, faith in Christ, and the Christian call to work for justice.
Read pilgrims’ reflections and explore eligibility criteria at immersions.holycrossmissions.org.
5. Celebrate the charism of the Congregation of Holy Cross | Holy Cross Heritage Month (January 6 – February 2)
Celebrate the rich history, spirituality, and charism of the Congregation of Holy Cross every January. Honoring figures like St. André Bessette and Blessed Basil Moreau, this month offers a chance to deepen your connection to our shared Mission through prayer resources, inspiring stories, and community events that showcase how Holy Cross continues to make God known, loved, and served.
Bring this annual celebration to your parish, school, or residence hall with resources from the Holy Cross Heritage Month website: holycrossmonth.org.
6. Give alms this Lent | Lenten Almsgiving Initiative
Journey through Lent with the Congregation of Holy Cross. Our annual Lenten Almsgiving Initiative provides a unique opportunity for individuals and communities in the U.S. to support the priorities of Holy Cross ministries abroad. Your donation will be used for needs such as women’s health initiatives for high school students in Tanzania, tuition shortfall scholarships in Bangladesh, and monthly groceries for parishioners in need in Chile, among others.
Learn how your Lenten almsgiving can support Holy Cross ministries at almsgiving.holycrossmissions.org.
7. Give today | The Holy Cross Mission Center
Your financial support makes an impact. It helps Br. Joe Kanganda, C.S.C., in Uganda ensure his faculty and staff have funds for student activities throughout the academic year. It helps continue the scholarship program founded by the late Fr. Frank Quinlivan, C.S.C., aimed at providing young women in Bangladesh with a formal education. It helps Fr. Juan Phalen, C.S.C., minister to the more than 300,000 parishioners of Lord of Hope Parish outside Lima, Peru. On behalf of these men and all the others who make Christ known, loved, and served with support from donors like yourself, thank you for your generosity.
Donate at impact.holycrossmissions.org.
Cover photo provided by Brother Jordan Chang, C.S.C. Pictured is Brother Jordan Chang, C.S.C., with students from St. James Primary School in Dandora, Nairobi, Kenya.
Holy Cross Mission Center, August 2026.
