Vision

We began day three of our pilgrimage at Holy Cross Cemetery located in a residential neighborhood atop a hill overlooking the city of Le Mans. Members of the religious family of Holy Cross are interred at the cemetery, along will Sainte-Croix community members.  Father Moreau was originally buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in 1873.  His body was later moved to the Notre-Dame de Sainte-Croix.  The cemetery also contains the remains of Moreau's family, Mother Mary of the Seven Dolors (first Superior General of the Marianties of Holy Cross).  A list of French brothers and fathers whom are not interred in the cemetery are listed, including Fr. Sorin. 

We journeyed further up the hill to the Solitude of the Savior, the first novitiate of the priests of Holy Cross.  We had an opportunity to visit Father Moreau's quarters and a small museum that houses relics including Fr. Moreau's chalice.  We also had an opportunity to meet a few sisters of the Marianites of the Holy Cross.

We then ventured to Laigne-en-Belin, the town where Fr. Moreau was born.  Mass with local parishioners was a highlight of the day.  We were able to gain greater perspective on Fr. Moreau's humble beginnings.

As the group processed the day and the larger journey, the theme of vision surfaced repeatedly.  The sites we have visited remind us that Fr. Moreau and others had the courage to move forward on visions that they knew they may not personally see to fruition. That's not so different from the work we do in Student Affairs at Notre Dame.  We may not be updating cathedrals, but we are forming men and women of faith.  We know that we may never see the full development of our students yet we continue to work every day to challenge them to their best selves.  This pilgrimage has already incited a tremendous amount of reflection which holds the promise of new vision for the hope we can bring to the Notre Dame family.