2026 HOLY CROSS MISSIONS STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST
Who is eligible?
Students at schools, colleges, universities, or parishes in the United States who complete an immersion experience at one of the Congregation of Holy Cross’s apostolates outside the U.S. between the dates of September 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026.
What are the prizes for applicants and the international apostolates that they visited?
The top three applicants will receive a cash prize from the Office of Apostolic Mission & Charism of the U.S. Province of Priests and Brothers and the Holy Cross Mission Center will make donations in their names to the Holy Cross apostolates that hosted them. See the 2026 prize structure below.
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Prize for the Essay Writer: Funding made available by |
Prize for the Holy Cross apostolate that hosted the Essay Writer*:
Funding made available by |
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$500 USD | $1,000 USD |
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$300 USD | $500 USD |
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$200 USD | $500 USD |
*The corresponding International Holy Cross apostolates will be eligible to receive their awards through the HCMC’s online grant application process.
What are the essay contest expectations?
In a personalized essay of 600 to 1200 words, compose a thoughtful response to one (1) of the approved essay prompts listed below. All applications should be completed using the 2026 Application Form (see below) by August 31, 2026. Incomplete applications, essays that rely on AI chatbots, and essays that do not respond to one (1) of the approved essay prompts will not be considered.
What are the submission requirements?
Please email your completed application to hcmc@holycrossusa.org with the subject line “2026 Student Essay Contest application” no later than August 31, 2026, to have your application reviewed by the committee. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
2026 ESSAY PROMPTS
The Congregation of Holy Cross’s Year of Mission (April 28, 2025–April 28, 2026) is an initiative themed “Hope Beyond Borders” that renews the Congregation’s commitment to missionary service, especially among those on the margins. Rooted in the legacy of Blessed Basil Moreau, it calls members of the Congregation of Holy Cross and partners like you to reflect on their mission, deepen their zeal, go where they are most needed, and inspire others to do the same. Marked by new efforts, such as the mission in Papua New Guinea, and guided by reflection and action, this Year of Mission emphasizes faith, service, and solidarity across communities. The 2026 essay prompts reflect this theme, inviting students to connect their personal experiences to these shared goals.
- Understanding the Holy Cross Mission
During your immersion, you spent time in Holy Cross communities inspired by the mission of Blessed Basil Moreau. Describe one specific moment that helped you better understand what the mission of Holy Cross looks like in today’s world. How did this moment open your eyes to the needs of the Church or the global community? How did it renew your sense of hope for your own community? As you compose your essay, be sure to include specific details and memorable anecdotes from your immersion that help the reader grasp the incarnate reality of those experiences.
- Hope Beyond Borders: Encountering Poverty, Dignity, and Justice
The Year of Mission invited the Congregation of Holy Cross to recommit to serving those on the margins. Think about a personal encounter during your immersion that challenged or changed how you understand poverty, human dignity, or justice. What did you learn from this encounter? How did it push you to grow or step outside your comfort zone? How might it influence the way you care for and stand in solidarity with others in your everyday life? As you compose your essay, be sure to include specific details and memorable anecdotes from your immersion that help the reader grasp the incarnate reality of those experiences.
- Making God Known, Loved, and Served
Holy Cross priests and brothers are called to step beyond the familiar and go wherever they are called, witnessing to a mission of making God known, loved, and served. Reflect on a time during your immersion when a Holy Cross priest or brother invited you to take part in his ministry. What was that experience like for you? How did it challenge you to grow in freedom, courage, or commitment in responding to the needs around you? In what ways are you now inspired to cross boundaries, bring hope to others, and invite those around you to encounter and live out this mission in their own lives? As you compose your essay, be sure to include specific details and memorable anecdotes from your immersion that help the reader grasp the incarnate reality of those experiences.
Provided by the Mission Center, April 2026
