The French Revolution bears an ironic responsibility for generating works of charity. To counteract the devastating social effects of that late 18th century uprising, numerous religious communities were founded in France, among them the Congregation of Holy Cross. The Congregation of Holy Cross, the founding religious community behind the University of Notre Dame, had its origin in the ranks of diocesan clergy in France. This article chronicles the early history of the congregation, struggles between priests and its brothers, and its movement into the ministry of Catholic education.