Holy Cross College provost Michael Griffin signed an agreement with the Le Centre Le Pèlerin, an international center of spirituality based in Montreal, Canada.
Holy Cross College has entered a partnership with the Le Centre Le Pèlerin, an international center of spirituality based in Montreal, Canada. Le Centre Le Pèlerin is an apostolate of the Canadian Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross.
This partnership enhances the commitment that both institutions share with the Congregation’s mission to education and formation. The collaboration allows Holy Cross College to serve as an academic partner with Le Centre Le Pèlerin, jointly awarding certificates to participants who complete their programs. Holy Cross will also review and assess course materials every three years to ensure academic excellence and spiritual integrity of the curriculum.
Founded in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, Le Centre Le Pèlerin fosters lay and religious collaboration in ministry through its three schools: the International School of Spiritual Accompaniment, the School of Faith and Spirituality, and the Prayer and Communion School. The organization’s mission, “to accompany people in their spiritual journey”—echoes Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV’s call for the Church to walk with others in faith and reflects the vision of Blessed Basil Moreau, founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross.
In 2022, The Pelerin leadership team approached Fr. Mike DeLaney, CSC, then serving as rector of Saint Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal, about a possible collaboration, with a Holy Cross college or university in the United States. They started together to seek a collaboration beneficial to both the Pelerin’s ministry and the Holy Cross school that would ultimately be a lengthy be selected.
Today, Fr. Mike now at Holy Cross College, believes this new collaborative project with the Pelerin is providential, and a great step in the international collaboration between two excellent ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross dedicated to the education and formation of the lives of young people in their personal and spiritual growth.
Holy Cross College and Le Pelerin began the process to create the relationship that would authorize Holy Cross College to certify the completion of Le Pelerin’s programs. Once the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) approved the agreement between the two institutions in Fall 2025, the partnership became a reality. “This partnership creates a stronger bond between Holy Cross communities in the United States and Canada,” said Dr. Dianne Barlas, Vice President for Mission and Ministry at Holy Cross College. “It strengthens our shared mission of forming people not only in knowledge, but in the formation of the heart to accompany others on their journey toward becoming more Christlike.” Both Holy Cross College and LePelerin recognize this relationship to be an example of the Congregation of Holy Cross’ commitment to cross borders of all kinds to bring the message of God’ kingdom to the world. Dr. Barlas stated, “We see this partnership as vitalizing the bonds within the Congregation in the image of a family that Blessed Basil Moreau desired for his community,”
This partnership reinforces Holy Cross College’s mission to extend its reach beyond the classroom to support the spiritual formation of those serving the Church worldwide.
Certificates under the new partnership will be awarded during Le Centre Le Pèlerin’s 25th anniversary celebration on October 24 in Montreal, where Holy Cross College will be represented by Dr. Chris Haug, the United States Province provincial assistant and director of Apostolic Mission & Charism.