Holy cross founder will be beatified in France

By FR. FRANK WAGNER
Special to the WCR
Toronto

The Venerable Father Basil Moreau, founder of the Holy Cross family of sisters, brothers and priests, will be beatified Sept. 15 in LeMans, France.

Moreau's (1799-1873) life centred around the restoration of the Catholic Church in France following the French Revolution.

Most pastors and teachers prior to the Revolution were forced into exile. By the 1820s, much of France's population was illiterate, uncatechized and without access to the sacraments.

Moreau preached parish missions and eventually gathered a group of priests to help him reinvigorate the Church.

Holy Cross priests and brothers have ministered to people in Alberta since the 1960s through Newman Theological College, St. Thomas More Parish, St. James Parish and St. Michael-Resurrection Parish in Edmonton as well as in parishes in Sherwood Park, Camrose, Red Deer, Innisfail, Leduc and Jasper.

In a spirit of renewal and rejoicing, they invite you to join with them on a pilgrimage to France to share in the beatification celebration and Mass of thanksgiving in LeMans.

I will serve as the spiritual guide for the pilgrimage. More information is available from Holy Cross Father Wilf Murchland at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Sherwood Park, phone (780) 467-5470.

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