Born the ninth of fourteen children in 1799, Basil Anthony Marie Mareau grew up in the aftermath of the anti-religious French Revolution. His parents were involved in the Catholic underground movement during a time when the revolution’s Reign of Terror sent most priests and religious into exile, and Basil was baptized and educated by a fugitive priest. Basil entered the seminary at 15, was ordained at 22, and immediately set to the work of evangelization. He taught at the seminary, organized and oversaw diocesan spiritual growth programs, and formed three missionary groups. Seven of his missionaries came to the United States, where they founded the University of Notre Dame.
CHALLENGE
The French Revolution caused Blessed Basil Moreau and his missionaries to find themselves often evangelizing to people who had no faith at all. As we move in the direction of a post- Christian society, it’s never been more important to heed the call of the Great Commission and spread the Gospel message. Today, pray to the Holy Spirit for courage, then reach out to at least two friends and your parish, and begin mobilizing a door-to-door evangelization effort.
Our #1 best-seller, Letters From the Voyages of St. Frances Cabrini is a collection of 17 of Mother Cabrini’s letters to her missionary sisters, beautifully re-typeset from the original 1945 edition. Combining lessons of faith and wisdom with vivid descriptions of her adventures, it’s sure to be read again and again.
