Crosier Fathers Province

The Crosiers, officially known as the Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross, were founded in modern-day Belgium in 1210. The priests and brothers live a life of community, prayer and service under the Rule of St. Augustine. The Crosier Fathers and Brothers celebrate Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours as a community each day.

Over the past decade, the Crosiers have emphasized the importance of living in large, vibrant communities and today have two priories in the United States – Onamia, Minn., and Phoenix, Ariz. Members are involved in a wide range of ministries that serve the church and community. These include parish assistance, spiritual direction, elder care, immigrant services, retreat work and jail ministry among others.

In addition, members of the Crosier Community of Onamia preach in dioceses each summer on behalf of the missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 2011, Crosiers preached in nine dioceses, including St. Cloud and New Ulm in Minnesota.

The Crosiers have served the central Minnesota region since 1910 from Onamia, which is about 90 miles north of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.  The monastery was built in 1922 and Crosier College, later Crosier Seminary, opened later that year.

The National Shrine of Saint Odilia is located in Onamia. Saint Odilia is the Patroness of the Crosier Order and Patroness of the blind and the afflicted. The Crosiers celebrate three Healing Masses a year. Across the country, and the world, tens of thousands of the faithful share in the devotion to Saint Odilia.

The Master General of the Order is Fr. Glen Lewandowski, osc, a Minnesota native and the first American to lead the Order. The Prior Provincial of the United States Province is Fr. Tom Enneking, osc, also a Minnesota native.

There are about 400 Crosiers today worldwide, also serving in Europe, Indonesia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Brazil and Rome.

A donation to the Crosiers will enable its members to live a quality religious life, provide for the recruitment and education of future Crosier priests and brothers, provide for the needs of elderly Crosiers, serve the poor, immigrants and others in need, while also building up Crosier Religious Life in other parts of the world.

The Crosiers thank you for your support. Learn more at www.crosier.org and www.facebook.com/crosiers.