Human Resources: Holy Cross Heritage

For more than a century, Congregation of Holy Cross priests and brothers have served at the University of Portland to carry out the vision of the order’s founder, Fr. Basil Moreau, C.S.C., to educate the hearts and minds of students. In every endeavor at the University, the Congregation is helping to shape faithful citizens who will go forth from the University to inspire, lead, and improve the world. Through its own ministries and through partnerships and volunteer efforts in conjunction with the University, the Congregation and University students, faculty, and staff are working together to enhance educational experiences and opportunities and address some of Oregon's most pressing social concerns.

The 42 priests and brothers at the University of Portland are a small contingent of the 1,670 Holy Cross priests and brothers who live and work in 15 countries on four continents. Since 1840 when the first brothers and priests were sent from France to Algeria to work in schools, the Congregation has been a group of missionary educators. Today members of the Congregation of Holy Cross still serve primarily in high schools, colleges, and universities (including the University of Portland, University of Notre Dame, StonehillCollege, King's College, and St.EdwardsUniversity). They also work as parish priests and in other ministries among the poor.

The University of Portland's educational philosophy of carefully integrating learning and faith is rooted in its Holy Cross heritage. Today, with the support of the Congregation, which has always prided itself on its devotion to higher education, the University dedicates itself to teaching, faith, and service while cultivating the minds and hearts of its students. The end result is the formation of faithful citizens who are able to effect changes in our world.

For more about the Congregation of Holy Cross at the University, follow this link.