Moreau: Portrait of a Founder

Moreau: Portrait of a Founder brings to life the inspiring story of French priest Fr. Basil Moreau (1799-1873), and his founding of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Through a masterful blend of personal letters, historical documents, and vivid storytelling, this book is more than a biography; it presents stories of Moreau in the context of his time, supplemented with original correspondences and writings. This book explains how the events of Moreau’s age shaped the way he heard and responded to God’s call for his life, capturing the voices and situations that influenced his actions and beliefs.

Moreau was born in Le Mans, France in 1799, died in 1873, and was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007. He grew up in the aftermath of the French Revolution, and as a young priest, he felt compelled to revitalize a Church devastated by years of civil war. He gathered priests, brothers, and sisters together into a religious community with a mission to bring hope to the world.

Written in 1969 by Fr. Thomas Barrosse, CSC (1926-1994)—a former superior general of the Congregation and a professor at the University of Notre Dame—this updated edition brings to modern readers the foundational stories of the founding of Holy Cross. Br. Joel Giallanza, CSC, a student of Fr. Barrosse, edited this new edition to ensure that the text remains clear and accessible to anyone touched by Fr. Moreau’s legacy. Whether you are a member of the Holy Cross family or someone inspired by its mission, this book is a rich treasury of stories and insights into the heart and soul of a remarkable priest who dedicated himself to making God known, loved, and served by bringing the Gospel to a world in need.