Bringing people out of the ravages of the French Revolution tapped every single gift Basil Moreau could discern in his young Congregation of Holy Cross, and then some. So does the teaching and healing and grace-bringing done by Holy Cross and their co-disciples (all the rest of us at UP fit into that group) today. Interdependence is the Holy Cross charism that captures that robust tapestry of necessary connections. Holy Cross men and women and their lay collaborators look at the battered world through eyes of hope that will not be abandoned, a hope that is constantly renewed by the Holy Spirit. Very few hard things worth doing are finished in a day, and so the charism of fidelity is an animating spirit of Holy Cross that keeps the intentions and actions kindled by hope moving forward and helping members of Holy Cross communities (again, all of us here) seek the wisdom and talents of our colleagues, taking humble advantage of the reality of our interdependence.
“Did You Know?” is a regular feature in upbeat intended to help staff and faculty understand dimensions of this Catholic, Holy Cross university. You can send questions to Fr. Jim Gallagher (Campus Ministry) or Karen Eifler (Garaventa Center).
As part of being a Catholic, Holy Cross university, classrooms at UP each contain a crucifix displayed in a prominent place at the front. Crucifixes are distinct from plain crosses in that they have an image of the crucified Jesus (called a corpus) on the cross. Crucifixes are visceral and even sometimes uncomfortable reminders of the brutal death endured by the historical Jesus. Being reminded of that infinite sacrifice in no way diminishes the Catholic, Christian conviction that Christ fully and for all time conquered death. We’re also reminded of the connection to the Congregation of Holy Cross, with its motto Ave Crux, Spes Unica: “Hail the Cross, our only hope.”
The image of a cross interlocked with two anchors can be seen all around the UP campus – in the University Seal, etched in cornerstones, hanging around the necks of priests and brothers, and even on utility hole covers. For Blessed Basil Moreau, the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the cross was something to look to as a sign of hope. It was through the cross that Jesus won his victory over sin and death. It is through the cross that we will come to know the fullness of life that Jesus has in store for us. Therefore, the motto of the Congregation became Ave Crux, Spes Unica – “Hail the Cross, Our Only Hope.” The cross and anchors are a symbol of this motto – the anchor being an ancient symbol of hope. When used as the mark of Holy Cross, these crosses with anchors stand as continual reminders of our work of bringing hope into the world.
One dimension of religious practice that Catholics share with our Jewish brothers and sisters is an emphasis on the importance of the community in the daily living of faith. In many strands of Judaism, it’s important to have a minyan gathered to offer daily prayers. A minyan is a quorum of ten men (or in many communities, women and men) gathered to share the prayers of the day. Some Jewish members of the UP community have expressed interest in being part of a minyan to pray together with during the work day, but weren’t sure where to start. If you would like to be part of an inclusive minyan (i.e. no gender barriers), please contact Jericho Knight (
If you have been following the “Did You Know?” series and have a question or topic you would like to be covered, please email Fr. Jim Gallagher, C.S.C., Campus Ministry, at