Within the Congregation of Holy Cross, Blessed Basil Moreau dedicated our religious priests to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Just as Christ’s heart was pierced and poured out for the life of the Church, so too are our priests called to give of their life for the sake of the Gospel.
In addition to professing the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in the Congregation of Holy Cross, these men also receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders, ordaining them to serve as priests in the Church through the ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Through their religious profession, they are committed to the common work, prayer, and life of the community; yet through their Ordination, they are also committed to serving the Church through the celebration of the Sacraments, preaching of the Gospel, and instruction in the faith.
Holy Cross priests serve as pastors, teachers, administrators, campus ministers, dorm rectors, and missionaries. In whatever they do, they remain priests serving in the person of Christ, as well as consecrated religious in Holy Cross giving witness through their vows.
In their own words . . .
What is a religious priest?
Fr. John Herman, C.S.C. responds, “He is a man who, rooted in his vows and strengthened by his community life and prayer, lives and proclaims the Gospel in all that he is and does, whether in schools, parishes, missions or other community works throughout the world, while bringing God’s love and grace to people through the celebration of the Eucharist and other Sacraments.”
What type of man would make a good religious priest?
“A good religious priest is first and foremost a man who loves God and loves the Church,” responds Fr. Steve Lacroix, C.S.C. “The Eucharist should occupy a central place in his life. He should be faithful to prayer and willing to work hard and live simply wherever he is called to serve. Finally, he should be a cheerful man, attentive to the people he serves and the confreres with whom he lives.”
To learn more about the vocation of a priest in Holy Cross:
- Read posts on our vocations blog from Holy Cross priests reflecting on the priesthood.
- Listen to Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades’ homily on priesthood from the Ordination Mass in 2012.
- Learn more about Fr. Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., the “Rosary Priest,”
whose cause for beatification is underway. - Check out the following video of theRite of Ordination:
