Brother Thomas Goes home

WHO ARE WE

MEN WITH HOPE TO BRING

The “Brother” in the Catholic Church is a man who is vowed to poverty, celibacy, and obedience like any priest who is a member of a religious congregation like Holy Cross. In the Congregation of Holy Cross, the brothers and priests live together in community and follow the same “constitutions” or rules.

BR.FRANCIS XAVIER C.S.C PROFESSES FINAL VOWS IN HOLY CROSS

Br.Francis xavier professed his perpetual vows as a Holy Cross Brother during a Mass on Saturday, 19th March 2022 at 10 a.m. at the District center- brafo yaw. “My final vows signify that I am dedicating the rest of my life to following Jesus Christ as a religious Brother within the Congregation of Holy Cross,” Br. Francis explained. “It is my life-long commitment, analogous to marriage for married laypeople.” The steps to making final vows for a religious Brother or sister include an initial stage of training called postulancy and then the novitiate period. Then, for five to seven years, the person is in temporary vows. This means each year he or she renews vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience for one year, and then at the end of that year either leaves or renews. This is meant to be a probationary period. Finally, at the end of temporary vows, final, life-long vows are made. Br. Francis started this whole process in 2013. Br. Francis explained that the Holy Cross Brothers’ ministry to young people to make Jesus Christ known and loved drew him to their congregation. “I also love the Brothers' spirituality and way of being with each other,” he said. “They're very warm and down-to-earth.” During the course of his path to final vows Br. Francis said there were not big moments that convinced him he was truly called to this vocation, but rather it was the little things. “My everyday experience of teaching, working with young people, and living with my brothers have cemented my desire to live out this life,” he explained. After the homily at Saturday’s Mass which fell on the feast of St. Joseph who is the patron saint of the brothers, Br. Francis professed his life-long vows aloud witnessed by the provincial Brother Kenneth Haders C.S.C, Br. John Badu Affum District Superior with His Grace Archbishop Emeritus of the cape coast Archdiocese and host of others. Due to safety restrictions, a limited group of Brothers, family members, and colleagues were there to witness and celebrate this sacred moment

Journey of Faith, Taking a Journey of Faith, Together Wherever Holy Cross brothers and priests are sent, we go as Educators in the Faith, bringing hope and healing to those we serve. The same spirit that moved Blessed Father Basil Moreau, C.S.C, to found the Congregation of Holy Cross moves us to open the door of faith in classrooms, parishes, social service agencies, and other ministries throughout the world. We welcome you to our website and invite you to explore our lives – and maybe discover God’s calling in your own!.