Sacred Scripture
Sacred Tradition
Rev. Basil Moreau, C.S.C.
Pope John Paul the Great
Bishop Daniel Jenky, C.S.C.
 

The following are some quotes from the great Fr. Basil Moreau, the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross.

What must we do to become perfect? Follow Jesus Christ, that is to say, imitate him; that is the commitment we made in baptism…following Jesus is, the consequence of this sacrament of faith; it is the holy and irrevocable law of our vocation to Christianity, and we renew it by our religious promise. In what does this imitation of Jesus Christ consist? He himself told us that it is reduced to three things: renouncing ourselves, taking up our cross, and walking in his footsteps.

- Sermon “The Rule,” 1st sermon 1833
 

 
“Not everyone,” says the Lord, “who calls me ‘Lord, Lord.’ Will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my heavenly Father will enter there.”

It is not enough to send a few sighs heavenward, to recognize Jesus Christ as Lord and Master, to invoke him occasionally or to ask for his grace. We must, with this grace, put our hand to the work and do the will of his Father as he told us. Sighs, lazy moanings and sterile invocations will not open the gate of heaven. Works must be added.

- 1858 Exercises, “On the way to sanctify our actions”

Note: Does this mean that we earn our salvation? No. We are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. But actions speak louder than words. Mere words do not show faith unless they are accompanied by corresponding action. That is why it is important to be faithful every day. It is not a one time commitment – it is an every moment commitment. As Dorothy Day wrote in The Long Loneliness, “I have long since come to believe that people never mean half of what they say, and that it is best to disregard their talk and judge only their actions.”
 

 
By zeal is understood that flame of burning desire which one feels to make God known, loved and served and thus save souls. Apostolic activity is therefore the essential character of this virtue, and every teacher who is animated by this virtue will fulfill the duties of his state with eagerness, affection, courage and perseverance…He will feel that which St. Paul felt for the Galatians whom he had evangelized: “My little children for who9m I am in labor until Christ Jesus be formed within you.” This is the goal of all Christian education and in order to achieve this end you ought not neglect any means…

Our zeal is always guided by charity, everything is done with strength and gentleness: strength because we are courageous and unshakable in the midst of pain, difficulty and trials…and with gentleness because we have the tenderness of our Divine Model

- Christian Pedagogy, I:1, art.4 – 1856