Crosier Community of Phoenix

Help Our Elder Brothers Receive the Care and Dignity They Deserve

Dear Friends,

Greetings! As you know, both here in Arizona and in our priory in Onamia, Minn., our senior Crosiers have spent their lives in extraordinary, loving service to build God's kingdom. They remain a close, vital part of our mission, which is why I write to you today.

The expense of our elder brothers’ health and comfort is an increasing concern, especially in this difficult economy. Will you help us provide for elder Crosiers’ needs in the coming year, as we continue to care for and honor them in our communities?  

I’m asking for your support on Arizona Gives Day, April 7. Your gift to the Crosiers today gives our elder brothers the care they need—and the strength to remain a vital part of our healing, transformative mission. 

Just take one of our elder brothers, Fr. Ernie Martello, osc. It was Fr. Ernie who first introduced me to the Crosiers. Known for his deep humility and pastoral care for brothers and parishioners alike, his life is a powerful witness to the Crosiers’ healing mission.

You wouldn’t necessarily know that he served as a missionary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 20 years. Like me, he’s a native of Cleveland, but he also taught philosophy (in French) to Congolese seminarians for decades. 

His stories amaze me. But so does his gentle presence. And like you, he plays an essential role in the Crosiers’ mission, even though he’s no longer as active as he once was. 

In fact, Fr. Ernie is one of many elder Crosiers who are now retired from active ministry and who pray and witness to the hope that moves us to serve our neighbors in need. 

They live with us, and they still have so much wisdom and support to give. We younger Crosier priests and brothers are committed to making sure they’re well cared for.

But their health care, therapies and other needs can be incredibly expensive. 

Christ comes to us in small and humble ways—in the babies, the poor, the sick and the elderly. I see Him in our retired Crosiers, and I could not be more honored to keep them at the center of our priories—our homes—and our mission.  

After all, nothing shows the deep connections of our families—and religious orders—like the vital contributions of our senior members. Their prayer and counsel, their witness and their wisdom strengthen all of us to serve Christ with all our hearts.  

This is something the world needs to see. The way you love and serve your family and friends is the first way you teach them what, and who, truly matters most to you. 

On Arizona Gives Day, your support will bring us closer to reaching our $10,000 goal, to ensure direct care to elder Crosiers—AND it strengthens our entire community as we provide the sacraments, counseling, healing and direct service to those in need. 

I hope you will join us on April 7!

With my prayers that you have a blessed week,

Fr. Alex Juguilon, osc

Conventual Prior

About Us

The Crosiers, officially known as the Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross, were founded in 1210 in modern-day Belgium. For more than 800 years, the priests and brothers have lived a life of community, prayer and service under the Rule of St. Augustine. There are more than 350 Crosiers today worldwide serving in the United States, Belgium, the Netherlands, Indonesia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Brazil and at the Order’s headquarters in Rome.

The Crosiers are consecrated men of one of the Roman Catholic Church’s oldest religious orders. They are also the only religious community whose national headquarters is located within the Diocese of Phoenix. Their campus, known as Crosier Village, serves as a place of light and healing in South Phoenix. The priory church in Onamia is home to the National Shrine of St. Odilia, the oldest national shrine in Minnesota.