Nine Life Lessons from the Congregation of Holy Cross

January not only marks the start of the new year. It’s also Holy Cross Heritage Month, which honors the nearly 200-year history of the Congregation of Holy Cross. This celebration is special to the Stonehill community, as the College was founded by the religious order in 1948. Seven decades later, Holy Cross priests and brothers continue to sponsor the school’s mission to educate hearts and minds.  

As campus community members spend this month both reflecting on the Congregation’s impact and considering how they will accomplish their resolutions for 2025, we’ve compiled a list of life lessons from notable Holy Cross figures to help provide some inspiration. 

1. Be Compassionate 

“How we educate the mind will change with the times; how we cultivate the heart is and will remain timeless.” – Blessed Basil Moreau, founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross. 

2. Act with Determination 

“May I fulfill with zeal the duties to which I have committed myself.” – Rev. Jacques-François Dujarié, founder of the Brothers of St. Joseph, which became the Brothers of Holy Cross when joined with Fr. Moreau’s Auxiliary Priests in 1837. 

3. Embrace Challenges 

“Do not seek to be spared trials: ask instead for the grace to bear them.” – St. André Bessette, C.S.C., the first member of the Congregation of Holy Cross to be canonized a saint. 

4. Be Present 

“What love you could get for your little sacred home if you gave 10 minutes out of 24 long hours to your family.” – Venerable Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., known worldwide as the “Rosary Priest” for staging massive events focused on the Rosary. 

5. Be of Service 

“Who cares for the poor in this world of ease and comfort? Who feels for them? This, then, is our privileged lot, to see and attend to the needs of the suffering members of our beloved Savior.” – Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., founder of the University of Notre Dame and St. Edward’s University. 

6. Lead Ethically

"Business has a code of ethics based very largely on divine principles. When this code is followed, commerce can and does advance civilization.” – John Cardinal O'Hara, 12th president of the University of Notre Dame and Archbishop of Philadelphia. 

7. Keep Your Promises 

“It's not the ring or the collar that makes us faithful, it’s keeping the promises we make to each other and to God.” – Rev. John J. Cavanaugh, C.S.C., 14th president of the University of Notre Dame. 

8. Be Prepared

"Your present success and its measure are the sign of your ability and preparation, your motivation and ambition." – Rev. Richard Sullivan, C.S.C., fourth president of Stonehill College.

9. Stay Committed  

“Whatever you value, be committed to it and let nothing distract you from this goal. The uncommitted life, like Plato’s unexamined life, is not worth living.” – Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C., chair of the United States Commission on Civil Rights and 15th president of the University of Notre Dame.