We will soon be celebrating the 152nd anniversary of the death of Blessed Basile Moreau (January 20, 1873 – January 20, 2025).
As pilgrims of Hope, we are invited to live the Jubilee Year 2025. In reference to the cross of Christ, hope is at the heart of the motto that Blessed Basile Moreau gave to the members of the Congregation of Holy Cross, which he founded during the first half of the nineteenth century: O Crux, ave, spes unica (“Hail, O Cross, our only hope”). These words are taken from the Latin hymn Vexilla Regis by Venance Fortunat. Through the intercession of Blessed Basile Moreau, let us walk as women and men of hope during this Jubilee Year.
A novena of prayer in preparation for this celebration is held from Friday, January 10 to Saturday, January 18, 2025. The solemn mass will be held on Sunday, January 19 at 10:30 a.m. It will be presided by Bishop Emmanuel Delmas, Bishop of Angers, and will be followed by a moment of conviviality. The day of celebration will end with solemn vespers, followed by the blessing of the Blessed Sacrament at 5:30 p.m.
On Monday, January 20, the date of the death of Blessed Basile Moreau, a Mass preceded by vespers will be celebrated at 6 pm in the church.

See a few pictures on our Facebook page of the Kings’ galette of the parish that took place at the diocesan house on Sunday 5 January. All ages were represented, and all had fun!

Just like last year, Our Lady of Holy Cross church/Shrine of Blessed Basile Moreau took part in the diocesan proposal for the “Way of the crèches, Path of the Stars”. Noticing that the crèches attract a very large public and at the request of some merchants, the pastoral ministry of tourism of the diocese organized this «way of the crèches, path of the stars» between the churches of the city of Le Mans and the Sarthe department.

Visitors come to admire the church’s nativity scene, are invited to take a star and then to bring it to another church, and so on. With this, the pastoral ministry of tourism wants to make the Church visible in the midst of the many Christmas activities. It wants to offer an opportunity for families and tourists to hear the message of faith, as well as seeing the stars of hope, theme of the 2025 Church Jubilee that will open in parishes on December 29.