Testament of Basil Moreau

June 13, 1867. At the Trappist monastery in northern France, Basil Moreau wrote down his testament, a simple act of devotion in which he turns to his fellow religious soon after he stepped down from his position as Superior General.

June 13, 1867

This is my spiritual testament, which I make on this second day of my retreat, at La Grande Trappe of Mortagne, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, whom I humbly beg not to allow it to contain anything which may be dictated by nature, because in this, as in everything else, I wish to heed only the voice of grace.

I thank the Lord and hope to thank Him eternally in the sojourn of His glory for having had me born in the bosom of the Roman Catholic Church, to whose judgment I submit myself respectfully and with the docility of a son for his mother, in everything I have written, published, and done until this day, as also whatever I shall say, do, write, or publish in the future...

With all my heart I pardon those who have harmed me in the exercise of my ministry by their calumnies, probably without evil intentions. I beg God to pardon those of our own religious who have unknowingly paralyzed the development of the Congregation of Holy Cross, by having recourse to means which are both out of harmony with the spirit of our constitutions and rules and opposed to religious obedience, simplicity, truth and abnegation. If they could read in the depths of my heart, they would see there no bitterness, but only indulgence and love for all the members of our family. My consicience tells me that I would gladly suffer much more, if I could thus strengthen the congregation which has been so severely rocked...

I must, in truth, ask pardon of all those whom I may have unintentionally saddened, offended, or scandalized. I ask all of them to forget any word or action of mine which may have seemed unworthy of my priestly character and the mission entrusted to me on earth, in the path of which I know I have placed many obstacles. Hence I beg our Lord Jesus Christ to wipe out through the power of His Blood, in those whom I may have given bad example, the faults of which I may have been the occasion, and to make up by His mercy for my own deficiencies toward the souls whose salvation depended on my ministry...

I sincerely thank all those who were kind enough to assist me in the foundations of which I was the instrument. I recommend myself to their faithful prayers, promising not to forget them before God if, as I hope from His infinite mercy, He deigns to make me live and die in His love.

But it is to you that I address myself in conclusion, my dearest friends, Priests, Brothers, and Sisters of Holy Cross, beloved sons and daughters in Jesus Christ, who, in the midst of my trials, have never ceased to show for me the deepest interest, the most tender attachment, and the most generous devotion. Receive here the last expression of my gratitude, esteem, and affection. Although separated in body, let us remain united in spirit and in heart, and in constant fidelity to your Rules, by your devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, obtain the grace of entering into eternal union with God and his elect. It is there that we shall meet after the farewells of this earth, if you are faithful to your vocation and acquire its spirit and its virtues daily, in an ever increasing degree. To this end, observe inviolably the three vows of your religious profession, meditate on your Rules and my circulars, and lastly pray for the poor priest who has been to you a father and who has turned his dying looks and last thoughts to each one of you, to bless you all. Fiat, fiat!

Basil Moreau

The Trappist monastery where Father Moreau penned his testament.

 

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