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Presentation of the

Holy Cross of Jerusalem

“The Holy Cross of Jerusalem was born from the desire of a number of young women who, after being formed in the spirit, activities, and discipline of Catholic scouting, were led, through the practice of the Law and the Promise, to seek a more precise rule of life, deeper commitments; in short, to consider the total gift of themselves in a true vocation.”

Father Jacques Sevin

In 1944, alongside Jacqueline Brière, a former leader of cubs, and several other leaders, Jacques Sevin founded a religious congregation that is evangelical and apostolic, contemplative and missionary: The Holy Cross of Jerusalem. Its unique spirituality draws primarily from the spirituality of St. Ignatius, as well as from that of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. Teresa of Ávila, and from scouting.

This congregation, applying the pedagogical values advocated by Jacques Sevin, is particularly dedicated to the education and evangelization of young people.

The sisters pray every day for scouts all over the world, regardless of their religion.

Today

The Holy Cross of Jerusalem is present in France at:

BORAN SUR OISE (Oise): the place where Father J. Sevin passed away and where he is buried in the village cemetery.
- Motherhouse and General Priory
- Saint Joseph Priory
CUISE-LA-MOTTE (Oise): College and High School La Maison Française (La Chesnoye)
LYON:
- Priory Our Lady of Hope and Student Residence L’Alauda
- Priory Saint Teresa of Ávila

In the Holy Land:

TAYBEH (Palestine): Priory Our Lady of Ephraim
JERUSALEM: Priory Our Lady of the Chaldeans

Signification de la Croix des scouts catholiques

The scout cross, made up of four “Tau” (the Greek letter T, which forms a cross) directed towards the four cardinal points, is a cosmic cross well-known by pilgrims in the Holy Land and symbolizes the universality of salvation.

The red color is linked to the death of Jesus.
The fleur-de-lis: This is the emblem chosen by Baden Powell, the founder of the scout movement. It is the flower found painted instead of the north on naval compasses, which are fixed compasses placed before the helmsman of large ancient ships.

Jacques Sevin wanted to give the scout cross to the sisters of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem, thus reminding them of their origin. The four fleur-de-lis that complete this cross symbolize their four religious vows: