Scapular

The broad rectangular cloth that goes from the shoulders to the knees on both the front and back of the body, the scapular boasts the distinctive red and white Crosier Cross. At first the scapular was simply a working garment or apron worn by agricultural laborers, but by about the fifth century religious orders began wearing them as a sign of their religious vows, often calling it crux (cross) because of its shape. The Crosier scapular doubled as a work apron and a sign of solidarity with common laborers and the poor.

The Crosier Cross

The Crosier Cross is the most prominent feature of the habit. This uniquely shaped cross is the crusader cross worn by soldiers to identify themselves as Christians. The red represents the blood and the white represents the water that flowed from Jesus’ side after his death on the cross (Jn. 19:34). While the red reminds us of our devotion to the Eucharist and the water recalls our baptism, the red also represents suffering while the white signifies the glorification that follows.

• Weekdays Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fri. at 8:00 am. Wednesday, Mass is celebrated in the nursing home at 10:30 am
• Saturdays 5:30 p.m.
• Sundays Sunday 9:30 a.m.

Confession Saturday, 4:45 – 5:00 p.m., Other times by appointment.

National Shrine of St. Odilia 

In 1952, a major relic of St. Odilia was brought to the Crosier community in Onamia, Minn., and a shrine in her honor was set up in the priory chapel, where the reliquary is currently housed.

St. Odilia has promised her intercession on behalf of the Crosiers and all those who invoke her aid. For centuries it has been the practice of the Crosiers to bless water in honor of St. Odilia, dipping her relic in it and asking God to give it “power against all diseases and bodily infirmities.” Many have been cured through her intercession.

The Crosiers

The Order was founded in 1210 by Blessed Theodore de Celles and companions. The name Crosier is derived from the French word croisés—signed with the cross. In medieval England, Crosiers were known as the Crutched (crossed) Friars. The designation refers to the cross and the spirituality of the Order.

The primary feast day of the Crosiers, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, reflects a spirituality focused on the triumphant cross of Christ and our glorified Lord. A distinctive mark of the Crosiers is the red and white crusaders’ cross worn on the scapular of our religious habit.

Crosiers share in the conventual form of religious life, similar to the Dominicans. Living together for God alone, we are vowed men who seek to combine contemplative routines with a shared apostolic life. The Crosier charism centers on our commitment to live and work in community, to celebrate the prayer of the Church (both through Eucharist and the liturgy of the hours), and to serve the people of God in light of the Cross of Christ as a sign of hope and glory.

Holy Cross Center

Holy Cross Center was dedicated in the summer of 2002. It serves as a central facility for the South Mille Lacs Catholic Community, as well as “home” for Holy Cross Parish and the Crosier Community of Onamia.

Mission Statement

The Holy Cross Center provides a unique opportunity for Crosiers, parishioners of South Mille Lacs Catholic Community and friends to nourish and strengthen a deeper faith in Christ for themselves, their families and their communities. The Center offers a variety of programs for sharing faith, building relationships, passing on a living heritage, and healing the brokenness of lives. The spiritual foundation of the Center is the presence of the risen crucified Christ in the stories of suffering and hope in the lives of individuals and communities.