Blessed Basil Moreau Award
Basil Moreau, a priest and professor of Philosophy and Theology in post-revolutionary France, founded the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1837. At the direction of Father Moreau, Father Edward Sorin and six Holy Cross Brothers traveled from France to northern Indiana to found the University of Notre Dame in 1842.
Today, the Congregation of Holy Cross oversees several colleges across the United States, including Holy Cross College. True to Moreau’s vision, Holy Cross schools around the world adopt a model of Christian education that is holistic, educating the heart and mind. Basil Moreau was beatified by Pope Benedict in 2007 in Le Mans, France.
To honor Blessed Basil Moreau, this award recognizes students whose academic achievements and zeal for seeking the truth will strengthen the classroom experience for all Holy Cross College students.
St. André Bessette Award
As a Holy Cross Brother, André Bessette lived an exemplary life of faith, hope, and charity. Because of his great love for Christ and St. Joseph, he oversaw the construction of the Oratory of St. Joseph, which continues to be a place for prayer, healing, and conversion of heart, not just for the people of Montreal, but also for pilgrims who visit it from all over the world.
St. André Bessette, a humble servant of the Church, became the Congregation of Holy Cross’s first saint when he was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010.
In the spirit of St. André, this award recognizes students whose dedication to faith and service will uniquely strengthen the identity of Holy Cross College as a Catholic institution. St. André Scholars are expected to be active members of the campus community, serving as models of faith and charity, while they themselves are formed as Christians called to holiness.
The Anchor Award for Athletics
Basil Moreau and André Bessette inspire us all to live of character and mission. At Holy Cross, the Saints of our athletic teams live this out both in the classroom and on the courts, fields, and courses on which they play. For this reason, each of our varsity athletic teams selects one nominee for the Anchor Award for Athletics.
The Anchor is part of the symbol of the Congregation of Holy Cross and thus has deep roots in our history and mission. It reminds us to be strong in our faith, to act with courage even in the midst of challenge, and to be unwavering in our sacrifice for our common mission. These are the values that the best athletes exhibit on behalf of their team.
The Anchor Award recipient will be a steady, consistent, and reliable source of leadership in helping the team—and indeed all their fellow Holy Cross Saints—to see what heroic virtue looks like.
Portions of biographies taken from holycrosscongregation.org