Crosier Fathers and Brothers

Help our elder brothers receive the care and dignity they deserve this Christmas

Dear Friends,

Greetings! As you know, 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 Give to the Max Day, November 20. 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. He and other senior Crosiers 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. 

The fast-approaching Christmas season reminds us that 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.

On Give to the Max 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 November 20!

With my prayers that you have a Holy and Blessed Christmas,

Fr. Alex Juguilon, osc

Conventual Prior

P.S. You don’t have to wait until Give to the Max Day—click the donate button to make your gift today!

About Us

Established in 1910, the Crosier Community of Onamia is a vibrant priory (monastery) of Roman Catholic religious priests and brothers who serve the local, national and international needs of the Church. The priory church is also home to the National Shrine of St. Odilia, the oldest national shrine in Minnesota.

Today there are about 350 Crosiers living and ministering in the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Indonesia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Brazil, and in Rome, where the Order is based.