Hope, April 2023

By Matthew Picard, MSM

The Congregation of Holy Cross is a Catholic religious order that was founded in France in 1837 by Blessed Basil Moreau. The congregation is dedicated to the pursuit of holiness through education, evangelization, and service, and its mission is to bring hope to the world through the transformative power of the Gospel. Hope is a central tenet of the Christian faith, and it is a theme that is deeply rooted in the spirituality of the Congregation of Holy Cross. But what is hope? Hope is the confident expectation of a better future, based on the promises of God. Hope is not just a feeling or an emotion; it is a virtue, a habit of the heart that we cultivate through prayer, reflection, and action. Hope is what enables us to endure difficult times, to persevere in the face of adversity, and to keep our eyes fixed on the ultimate goal of our faith – eternal life with God.

One of the ways in which the Congregation of Holy Cross brings hope to the world is through its commitment to education. The congregation has a long and proud tradition of founding and running educational institutions, from primary schools to universities. Through these institutions, the Holy Cross community seeks to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to build a better future for themselves and their communities. By providing quality education to young people, the Holy Cross community is empowering them to become leaders who can make a positive difference in the world.?

Another way in which the Congregation of Holy Cross brings hope to the world is through its evangelization efforts. The Holy Cross community is dedicated to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with people of all cultures and backgrounds, and it seeks to build bridges of understanding and compassion across divides of race, ethnicity, and religion. Through its evangelization efforts, the Holy Cross community is working to break down barriers and bring people together in a spirit of unity and hope. The Congregation of Holy Cross also brings hope to the world through its commitment to service. The Holy Cross community runs numerous service programs and initiatives, both domestically and internationally, that seek to address the needs of the poor, the marginalized, and the vulnerable. By serving those in need, the Holy Cross community is demonstrating the love and compassion of Christ and giving people a tangible reason to hope for a better future.

The concept of hope is a central part of the spirituality of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Through its commitment to education, evangelization, and service, the Holy Cross community is working to bring hope to the world by empowering individuals, building bridges of understanding and compassion, and addressing the needs of the most vulnerable. The Congregation of Holy Cross continues to be a beacon of hope in a world that is often characterized by fear, division, and despair, and its mission to bring hope to the world through the transformative power of the Gospel is as relevant today as it has ever been. Hope is a powerful force in our lives, and as Christians, we have a unique source of hope in Jesus Christ. Let us cultivate this hope through prayer, reflection, and action, and let us trust that God will fulfill his promises in his own time and in his own way. May we be a people of hope, bringing light and love to a world in need.