Asia
Where We Serve
In 1851, Propaganda Fide, the Vatican congregation that oversees the Church’s missionary work, asked Blessed Basil Moreau if Holy Cross would assume responsibility for the Church’s mission in East Bengal. Whereas other congregations had refused because of the region’s poverty and difficult climate, Moreau accepted. After the first group to set sail was forced to turn back in December 1852 due to a storm, a second group of priests, brothers, and sisters arrived to Calcutta on May 20, 1853. They made their way to Dhaka and Noakhali by June.
Notable Holy Cross Missionary in Asia
Servant of God Theotonius Ganguly
Archbishop Theotonius Amal Ganguly was born in Hashnabad, which is in present-day Bangladesh, on Feb. 18, 1920, the feast day of his patron saint, St. Theotonius. His family added the Bengali name Amal, which means “spotless” or “innocent.”
Notable Holy Cross Missionary in Asia
Servant of God Flavian Laplante
Br. Flavian Laplante, C.S.C., was born on July 27, 1907, in St.-Louis-de-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada. He was the seventh child of nine to Honoré Laplante and Louise Théroux, who named him Doria.
“May love of God and of neighbor be the inspiration that urges us on to greater efforts in the service first of God and then of our fellow men.”
Servant of God Theotonius Ganguly
March 2026 Prayer Intention of the Superior General
All are invited to pray along with Superior General Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., this month: As the General Council makes the visit to the Province...
A Tribute to Rev. Wilfred “Willy” Raymond, C.S.C.
This article was adapted from a tribute written by Br. Adolf Mugume, C.S.C., Director of Communications for the General Administration of the...
Bangladesh’s Sacred Heart of Jesus Province Celebrates Six Priestly Ordinations
Between November 2025 and January 2026, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Province (Bangladesh) was blessed to celebrate six priestly Ordinations. The...