From its origins in nineteenth-century France, the Congregation of Holy Cross has expanded around the world, bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to the farthest reaches of the planet in its mission to make God known, loved, and served. As of 2026, the Congregation of Holy Cross has a presence in 17 countries across 6 continents.
The process of expansion took place gradually over the course of the community’s 190-year history. Below, in a snapshot, is a list of the countries where Holy Cross serves today, along with the dates of the community’s arrival:
Africa
Ghana (1957)
Uganda (1958)
Kenya (1978)
Tanzania (2000)
Asia
Bangladesh (1853)
India (1853)
Philippines (1952)
Australia/Oceania
Papua New Guinea (2025)
Europe
France (1837)
Italy (1850)
North America
United States (1841)
Canada (1847)
Haiti (1944)
Mexico (1987)
South America
Brazil (1943)
Chile (1943)
Peru (1963)
While the Congregation’s work focuses primarily on education, parishes, and missions, its ministry in these countries also embraces numerous initiatives aimed at serving the poor and vulnerable, promoting family life, and supporting youth. Let’s take a brief look at the work Holy Cross is doing in four countries today.
In 1841, six Holy Cross brothers, led by Fr. Edward Sorin, arrived in Vincennes, Indiana, to support the Catholic schools of the large frontier diocese. This small cohort moved north to South Bend in 1842, and soon after, they established the University of Notre Dame du Lac. Within several decades, Holy Cross was operating schools, parishes, and children’s homes across the country.
Today, the Congregation of Holy Cross has seventeen high schools, six colleges and universities, and fourteen parishes from Massachusetts to California. Major research universities like Notre Dame, as well as liberal arts universities like St. Edward’s University (Austin, TX) and the University of Portland (Portland, OR), both offer a student-centered education that forms the mind and heart side by side. The Congregation is also involved in eight distinct ministries dedicated to justice and missionary outreach, including Holy Cross Family Ministries (Easton, MA), André House of Hospitality (Phoenix, AZ), and Ave Maria Press (South Bend, IN).
Established in 2025, the Holy Family Mission in Papua New Guinea is the newest foreign mission of the Congregation of Holy Cross. A small group of Holy Cross priests and brothers serves on Bougainville, the easternmost island in the country that is slightly larger than California. As educators in the faith, the men of Holy Cross operate two parishes on the island, each of which has associated schools and outstations. With over 10,000 parishioners at each parish, the priests and brothers keep busy!
The Holy Family Mission was a response to Superior General Brother Paul Bednarczyk’s desire to renew the missionary spirit of the Congregation. In keeping with the tradition of Father Basil Moreau, the community went where the Church had the greatest need – the mission was a direct response to conversations with the Dicastery for Evangelization. Of particular note, one of the Congregation’s main aims of its mission in Papua New Guinea is to strengthen family life in the country – Venerable Patrick Peyton, pray for us!
Holy Cross arrived in Uganda in 1958, led by (now Servant of God) Fr. Vincent McCauley, C.S.C. The missionaries, which included both priests and brothers, served in the westernmost portion of the country, where they operated parishes and schools to feed the explosive growth of the Church in the country. Holy Cross played an important role in developing the infrastructure in western Uganda, building schools, clinics, and churches.
Shortly after the missionaries’ arrival, Fr. Vincent McCauley became bishop of the newly established Diocese of Fort Portal. McCauley was known for his sensitivity to local cultures, his peacemaking between tribes, and his advocacy for the poor, especially refugees from Rwanda, the Congo, and Sudan. He went on to become a leader of the East African bishops, and is remembered today for his tireless work to serve and strengthen the Church in Uganda.
Today, Holy Cross operates two parishes, three primary schools, and a vocational school in Bugembe, just outside of Jinja in eastern Uganda. In the world of secondary education, Holy Cross has left a lasting mark on the country through its two high schools. Of particular note is Holy Cross Lake View Secondary School in Jinja, which is nationally renowned for its academic excellence.
Bangladesh has a special place in the hearts of Holy Cross men and women, not least because it was one of the first missions of the priests, brothers, and sisters. Holy Cross arrived in the region of Bengal in 1853, where it was immediately met with great challenges: sickness and natural disasters threatened the survival of the mission, and Holy Cross lost many brave men and women in its attempts to establish the Church in the region. They prevailed, however, and in time the Church not only grew in number, but began to attract vocations. Of all the religious orders in the Catholic Church, it could be argued that none have done more to establish and sustain the Church in Bangladesh than Holy Cross.
Though Catholics make up only 0.3% of Bangladesh’s population today, Holy Cross schools are known as some of the best in the country, and they are often the first choice for the children of government ministers and other prominent citizens. That said, they show a special preference for the poor, whom they educate in large numbers. As of 2026, the Congregation operates twenty-three schools in the nation, fifteen parishes, and two retreat centers.
In 2016, Archbishop of Dhaka Patrick D’Rosario, C.S.C. was created a Cardinal by Pope Francis, the second Holy Cross priest to be elevated to the rank in history. It is a testimony to the enduring legacy of Holy Cross in Bangladesh, and a reminder that the Congregation’s labors in the country have borne good fruit in time.
Reflecting on the extraordinary growth of Holy Cross in his life, Father Basil Moreau wrote, “Holy Cross will grow like a mighty tree and constantly shoot forth new limbs whose branches will produce yet others, and all nourished from the same sap and endowed with the same life.” Prophetic words! Father Patrick Peyton was one branch of this mighty tree, as is Holy Cross Family Ministries.
With the rest of the Holy Cross community, we continue to make God known, loved, and served in schools, parishes, missions, and families. That is a reason to celebrate. Happy Heritage Month!