“How we educate the mind will change with the times; how we cultivate the heart is and will remain timeless.” —Bl. Basil Moreau, Christian Education

Whether you learned about him in theology class, had a class in Moreau Hall, or asked for his intercessions during the morning daily announcements, you are sure to have heard of Blessed Father Basil Moreau. 

January 20th, 2025 marks his 226th Feast Day, a day of remembrance for this French priest who influenced every school, including Notre Dame, which sprung from one of his creations: the Congregation of Holy Cross. 

Even now, two hundred years later, Father Basil Moreau’s beliefs and teaching styles influence Christian education. 

One of the many ways Father Basil Moreau influenced the educational environment at Notre Dame is by making sure that the messages and philosophies of Holy Cross are embedded in the students. 

A report on Father Basil Moreau and his teaching philosophy supports this, “…his work is the educational philosophy of the Holy Cross, and one of mission and direction of his educational endeavor in Holy Cross tradition (Jenkins, 2011).”

Father Basil Moreau’s religious philosophy is largely practiced at Notre Dame. His philosophy includes, as Holy Cross leader Claire Romey ‘25 puts it, “education [that] cultivate[s] both the heart and mind.”

One way this philosophy of educating the heart and the mind is practiced at Notre Dame is through the ethics classes, which is offered by the theology department. Classes like these encourage the students to develop their own moral compasses in an engaged learning environment. 

Teachers implement this philosophy by integrating their knowledge on life into their lessons. These are meant to touch a student’s heart, which is exactly the type of heart-molding Father Basil Moreau implied in his teachings.

Theology teacher Mr. La Face said, “We as teachers always reflect each year on one of his [Moreau’s] Holy Cross virtues. They include the following: Patience, Gentleness, Zeal, and there are others. I choose a different one each year and try to implement it in my class. All of them can help us navigate a troubled world we experience at times.”

Blessed Father Basil Moreau’s guidance lasted far beyond his life by teaching his fellow priests how he envisioned his Christian education. He passed down his principles of education to his first students, the auxiliary priests.

These priests succeeded in spreading Father Basil Moreau’s teaching in not only France, but worldwide. Nations such as Africa, Asia, and North America received visits from these priests who preached, taught, and assisted the less fortunate.

One last influence Father Basil Moreau had on Holy Cross schools is the community service that is completed in many Christian schools across the world.

These acts of service were encouraged by Father Basil Moreau because of the spiritual growth that an individual goes through by completing acts of service. They lend themselves to the teachings of Father Basil Moreau, which include mercy, charity, and community.

Ultimately, Blessed Father Basil Moreau has caused a lasting influence on the virtues, education, and service that this school and many others across the world offer. We commemorate the Feast Day of Blessed Father Basil Moreau who not only molded Christian teachings, but also the way we live our lives beyond the campus.