1867 Approbation of the Constitution of the Marianites by the Holy See. The motherhouse is sold to pay the debts and the general administration of the priests and brothers leaves Le Mans. The Marianites in the United States become autonomous and take the name, Sisters of the Holy Cross. On January 20, Basil Moreau dies, attended by his Marianite religious. The Marianites of Canada become autonomous and take the name, Sisters of Holy Cross.
Some sisters succeed in remaining by becoming nurses or nurses' aides in the hospitals.
A few brothers continue to teach, dressing as laymen, but remaining faithful to their religious vows. The central administration of the priests and brothers is transferred to the United States, at Notre Dame, Indiana, where the college of that mission is evolving into a prestigious university. The dynamic young superior general, Father James W. Donahue, buys back the chapel-church of the motherhouse in Le Mans and strives in every way to make the founder known to his religious. The cause of beatification of Basil Moreau is introduced. The priests, brothers, and three branches of sisters unite in petitioning for this beatification.