Regular Spiritual Practices

Our constitutions describe us as an apostolic congregation whose attachments and responsibilities draw us into various communities. As we serve alongside the people of God, we also have the need to pray and worship the Lord together, “in some regular rhythm,” as brother priests in our own communities. Our particular patterns of shared prayer include these:

Morning and Evening Divine Office

These are the two chief hours of the Church’s daily Liturgy of the Hours.

Feasts and Observances of the Congregation

  • The solemnity of Our Lady of Sorrows is a day of remembrance for the entire congregation because Blessed Basil Moreau called upon Mary under the title of Our Lady of Sorrows as the patroness for the entire original assembly of sisters, brothers, and priests.
  • The Solemnities of the Sacred Heart and of Saint Joseph are the principal feasts of the priests and brothers, respectively.
  • We also gather together to observe special days in the life of our congregation, such as professions, ordinations, jubilees, and funerals.

Devotions to Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows

  • We also have the benefit, as our constitutions put it, of sound popular devotions like those to the Mother of God.

Prayer and Meditation

  • There is an important time-—at least one-half hour daily—for offering prayer to God quietly and alone, entering the mystery of God who chooses to dwell in the midst of his people, say our constitutions. “We contemplate the living God, offering ourselves to be drawn into His love and learning to take that same love to heart.” Assimilating sacred scripture and reading books on the spiritual life are important practices.
  • An annual retreat for several days of undisturbed prayer and reflection is a part of Holy Cross spiritual practice.