Order of the Holy Cross : A Celebration of 125 Years

It began with one man standing and making his vow before the Bishop of New York on the 25th of November 1884. Three men started this fledgling community, but one endured, James Otis Sargent Hungtington and on this day he made his vow alone. 125 years and many life professions later, we still celebrate this event, this moment, as the founding of the Order of the Holy Cross. Only this year, all four houses of the Order -- three in North America and one in South Africa -- did it with more significance. Mariya uMama weThemba Monastery marked the anniversary on the 28th of November 2009.

We were delighted to have with us Bishop Merwyn Castle from the Diocese of False Bay who preached the sermon reminding us of the so often forgotten joy that the Cross can have for all of us. Bishop Ebenezer Ntlali of the Diocese of Grahamstown was also with us to offer us some words of genuine thanks and encouragement and to offer the blessing. Our own Brother Robert Magliula presided for the Eucharist and used a Eucharistic Prayer written for us in honour of James Otis Sargent Huntington by the Rev. Janet Trisk. The Rev. David Mills, an Associate of the Order and from the Diocese of Bloemfontein offered greetings, congratulations and thanks for our dedicated service both for himself and for the Right Rev. Paddy Glover, Bishop of the Diocese of Bloemfontein and Dean of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.

The offering for the service went to the establishment of Holy Cross School, being started by the brothers on the grounds of the monastery. During the service, Brother Timothy was able to announce that the Department of Education in Grahamstown gave its stamp of approval for the establishment of the school and will take it to the Department in Bisho for their final approval. If Bisho says yes, then, the school can go ahead and begin on the 13th of January. It will begin as a pre-school.

We would like to thank all who have supported us with their prayers, assistance, wise counsel and donations these 125 years and especially in these last 11 years in Grahamstown, South Africa. Thank you for sharing in Fr. Huntington’s vision for the Order of the Holy Cross.

For more pictures of this event, please see our picture galleries.

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