Photo of the Easter Vigil provided by Fr. Felipe Campos, C.S.C.
By Fr. Felipe Campos, C.S.C.
“But now we know the praises of this pillar, which glowing fire ignites for God’s honor, a fire into many flames divided, yet never dimmed by sharing of its light…” – from the Exultet, sung at the Easter Vigil
During the Paschal Triduum, a question echoed through our parish. On Holy Thursday and Good Friday, my brother priests asked, “Is my love sufficient for you?” At the Easter Vigil, I found myself proclaiming Christ’s answer: “My love is more than sufficient for you.” This three-part homily, spoken over three days by the three of us Holy Cross priests at our parish, was born not from intentional coordination but from fraternal harmony. Without planning it, our voices joined together to proclaim the common fire of love that Christ had ignited in our hearts.
Before joining Holy Cross, my greatest fears keeping me from exploring religious life and the priesthood were fear of loneliness and isolation. How could I be known without that one special other person in my life? It was something that I had thought impossible until I met Holy Cross. As a college student, I saw them live out a brotherhood, a union, that was not feigned or forced, but instead genuine, vivid, and fruitful. Their love was attractive, something I longed for, something that kept my vocation alive. Thirteen years after first entering religious formation at with Holy Cross at Moreau Seminary, I now stood under the glow of the Paschal Candle at the Easter Vigil, sharing its light — first with my brothers — then with our parishioners.
The brotherhood that I share with them, and with all our brothers in Holy Cross, is nothing short of amazing. I recall a recent Sunday Mass that left a deep impression on me. The three of us were saying goodbye to our people and were each engaged in a different, yet complementary ministry. One of us was laughing with a former student and their little brothers. Another was consoling a mother going through a painful time. The last had just ushered a parishioner to a corner to hear their confession. Three moments, one Gospel proclaimed; distinct encounters, yet one Lord present in them all. The light of Christ’s triumph that had begun burning individually in each of our hearts we now shared as a brotherhood bound together in love.
That brotherhood is one that supports, enlivens, and ultimately transfigures us. In Holy Cross, brotherhood is never optional or ancillary. To be the religious Fr. Moreau founded us to be, we must live out our brotherhood with all our hearts. As our Holy Cross Constitutions say, “It is essential to our mission that we strive to abide so attentively together that people will observe: “See how they love one another.” We will then be a sign in an alienated world: men who have, for love of their Lord, become closest neighbors, trustworthy friends, brothers” (4:42).
Returning to our Easter Vigil this past year, one of our parishioners brought this love to our attention. At the sprinkling rite I made it a point to soak my brothers in community with holy water and for them to do the same in turn to me. The laughs we shared at the altar served as a small sign of the joy, brotherhood, and love we have for one another. This parishioner noticed our love, a sign of contradiction to the pain of broken families and shattered homes many experience.
It was Christ who invited me, and every Holy Cross religious, to follow Him, not as individuals, but as brothers. In an alienated world, it is this union of hearts that changes people, communities, and ultimately the world. We walk together bearing in our hearts the flame of the Paschal Candle. With hope in the Risen Savior, we continue to share Christ’s light with others, eagerly longing for its fullness.
Published June 3, 2026 by the Office of Vocations
