Blessed Basil Moreau (1799-1873) taught that the primary task of every educator is to form the hearts and minds of young people. Educating youth has been at the core of the mission of the Brothers of Holy Cross. In 1842, America was introduced to the Congregation of Holy Cross when Father Edward Sorin and six Holy Cross brothers opened a school near South Bend, Indiana. Today, that school is known as the University of Notre Dame.

As an educator, Blessed Basil Moreau was a true revolutionary who called for a new brand of the teacher as a Christian role model. He stressed the importance of providing a well-rounded curriculum that promotes the development of the whole person: spiritual, intellectual, artistic, physical, social.

In keeping with Moreau’s philosophy, Moreau Catholic High School attracts and retains the most qualified teachers who embody the spirit and dedication of the Congregation of Holy Cross. The school’s well-rounded curriculum fosters the development of students so that they are prepared to enter college, but more importantly so they are prepared to successfully face the challenges of adult life.

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Blessed Basil Moreau, CSC

Vatican City — A council of cardinals presided over by the pope decided early Friday, February 19 to make Montreal's Brother Andre a saint, Pope Benedict announced.

The pope made the announcement in Latin from the meeting of cardinals at the Vatican. The canonization will take place in Rome on Sunday, October 17, 2010.

The Roman Catholic clergy were in Vatican City to render a decision on Andre and five others who are on a short list for canonization.

Saint Andre, born Alfred Bessette, has already been recognized by the Catholic Church for his healing powers. In 1978 he was declared venerable. He was beatified in 1982.

The man most people associate with the massive St. Joseph's Oratory on the flank of Mount Royal in Montreal was born on Aug. 9, 1845, in St. Gregoire d'Iberville, southeast of the city.

Andre was a frail child, orphaned at age 10. He workd on farms and in mills in New England before returning to Quebec in 1867. In 1870 he took a job as custodian at College Notre Dame, run by the Congregation of Holy Cross in Montreal.

He entered the Congregation of Holy Cross as a lay brother in 1870, and in his capacity as the porter of the school for 40 years, counseled many parents of pupils. With those who had fallen ill, he prayed to St. Joseph.

So many sick people began to visit his humble room in College Notre Dame; there was fear of spreading disease through the school. Andre gained a reputation as a healer, and a man who could perform miracles.

When the congregation purchased land across the street, Andre was instrumental in getting a small chapel built in 1904. There, he met with the sick, who left their crutches and canes behind when healed.

A church seating 1,000 was built in 1917 and in 1924 construction began on the current oratory, stopping only during the Depression.

When Andre died at age 91 in 1937, an estimated one million people came to pay their respects. The building was completed in 1966.

Saint Andre Bessette, CSC