Holy Cross Education

Education is a basic human right—one that equalizes potential and empowers individuals to dream of brighter futures. Sisters of the Holy Cross recognize education as a matter of justice and know that it has the power to end cycles of poverty. That is why it was the Congregation’s very first ministry and continues to be a key focus today.

Educating the Mind, Heart & Spirit

At the heart of a Holy Cross education is a holistic approach to developmental and academic growth. Blessed Basil Anthony Moreau, CSC, founder of the Family of Holy Cross, believed that education should form the whole person: mind, heart and spirit. A Holy Cross education builds on this belief, equipping students with more than just academic knowledge. Sisters in educational ministry help students develop skills to make informed decisions, compassion to advocate for others, and creativity to respond to societal challenges.

At all grade levels, sisters nurture students’ curiosity and critical thinking while also helping them develop character, empathy and a strong moral compass. Through this approach, students are encouraged to recognize their inherent dignity and unique gifts and to put their knowledge into action for the good of others. In this way, a Holy Cross education prepares students not only to succeed, but to lead lives of purpose, service and responsibility to their communities and the world.

Opening Doors Through Education

From the beginning, Holy Cross sisters saw education as a pathway to greater opportunity, particularly for those whose circumstances limited their access to it. Early on, this meant prioritizing the education of women so they could pursue their aspirations and define their own futures.

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Did you know?

In 1943, Sister M. Madeleva (Wolff), CSC, established St. Mary’s School of Sacred Theology—the first graduate program in the nation to offer women advanced degrees in theology.

This vision took root in 1844, when the sisters opened Saint Mary’s Academy in Bertrand, Michigan. Eleven years later, the school moved to Notre Dame, Indiana, where it grew to become Saint Mary’s College. There, Mother M. Angela (Gillespie), CSC, helped create an ambitious curriculum that went well beyond what was traditionally offered to women. Students studied advanced mathematics and sciences, foreign languages, philosophy, art and music. This forward thinking became the hallmark of a Sisters of the Holy Cross education, reinforcing students’ strengths, capacities and belonging.

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With a focus on inclusivity, Holy Cross sisters’ educational ministry continued to extend to communities far and wide. They educated students in orphanages, opened schools for the blind and deaf, and focused on others whose circumstances limited their access to education. In response to the needs of those they served, the sisters continually adapted, learning new skills and finding new ways to make education accessible. And that is the tradition that continues today.

182 years of educational ministries

10 Congregation sponsored schools

11,000+ Holy Cross students

Six countries with Congregation sponsored schools

50+ sisters serving in education

Student Housing Expands Access

From the beginning, boarding schools, hostels and dormitories have been a hallmark of their schools as sisters sought to make education accessible. By providing housing, Sisters of Holy Cross bridge barriers to remote education for students in remote communities and those facing poverty. By providing safe, supportive housing, they give students the stability they need to learn and thrive while providing structure and personal formation.

A young student at the Congregation’s hostel in Jatah, India.

Student housing is more than hospitality—it is an act of justice.

Learn more about recent efforts to build hostels for students attending Holy Cross sponsored schools in India.

our lady of holy cross school

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St. Paul’s Lower Primary

Sister Catherine Magoba, CSC, joins with a group of students at Moreau Nursery and Primary School in Kirinda, Uganda, who earned scholarships through the Ministry With the Poor Fund. (pre-pandemic photo)

Today, Holy Cross sisters carry Moreau’s philosophy into schools and educational ministries globally, adapting and applying it within diverse cultures, communities and realities. What began with a commitment to opening doors for young women has grown into a thriving ministry that empowers students of all backgrounds.

As this ministry continues to evolve, the Congregation remains committed to an education that forms the mind, heart and spirit. And as sisters carry this belief forward, the impact extends far beyond the classroom—transforming individuals, families and communities around the world.