On the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes this past February (a cold wintry day in Carrollton, Ohio!) the priests and brothers constructed and erected a large Cross on the highest point of the St. Gabriel property. From this vantage point one can see for many miles. We attached a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, who is also the “Immaculate Conception”. She was chosen since the Immaculate Conception is the patroness of the Diocese of Steubenville.

When the Superior General, Fr. Joachim Welz, ORC, and a General Councilor of the Order, Fr. William Wagner, ORC, came over from Rome to discuss further plans for the monastery, they took the opportunity to bless the Cross on March 3rd during the Passio Domini in the presence of a small representation of the community and a couple of lay members. May we always be faithful to our vocation as Brothers and Sisters of the Holy Cross, and may this first structure bring many blessings on the property! Salve Crux, spes unica! Hail holy Cross, our only hope!