In 1866, seven years before he died, Father Moreau resigned as Superior General of the Congregation of Holy Cross. In 1868 Father Sorin assumed that responsibility. By this time the American Notre Dame had no serious financial difficulties. But in France Notre Dame de Sainte-Croix had such a heavy burden of debt that the very survival of the congregation seemed uncertain.

Starting in 1869 the new administration had to sell whatever property it could to pay creditors -- including first the furnishings of Notre Dame de Sainte-Croix and then the motherhouse itself with its college, residence for religious, and church. Concerned that creditors should be paid in full, especially since the loans had been made to him personally, Father Moreau resisted some of the measures taken by those who were now his religious superiors. When Father Sorin chided Father Moreau for being less than obedient, Father Moreau reminded him of his own past behavior.

Contrary to expectations, Father Sorin decided to return to Notre Dame du Lac and govern from America rather than from France or even Rome. Notre Dame de Sainte-Croix no longer belonged to the Congregation of Holy Cross. But the legacy of Father Moreau continues in the place he must have thought of as "the other Notre Dame".

In 1926 a Notre Dame alumnus named James Donahue became the first American Superior General of the congregation, which in 1931 reacquired and by 1937 restored the church of Notre Dame de Sainte-Croix. It once again serves as the spiritual heart of Holy Cross.

© Copyright 2007 by the Archives of the University of Notre Dame.