BackChoosing a Catholic College
Academic & Spiritual

The United States abounds with Catholic universities. Selecting one that's right for you takes planning - and prayer.

Planning to attend a Catholic college in America? Looking for one that will deepen your faith and provide the education you need to start a career? Perhaps you hope to find a college with a vibrant Christian community, a place where you will be surrounded by others who seek to follow Christ. Maybe you want to study theology so you can work for the Church, or to help you bring your faith into the marketplace or the research lab. Here are some guidelines to help make your search for the right 'spiritual fit' a little easier.

Check Out the Mission Statement

Read over a school's mission statement, which many schools have on their website. Look for a clear expression of the basic values of the institution and its commitment to the Catholic Church. For example, the Statement of Conviction at Franciscan University reads: "Our University is dedicated to the lordship of Jesus Christ." That tell you right away that the school takes its religious commitment seriously. Further on, it states that the school strives "to pursue a way of education based on God's revealed truth and the teaching of the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church, and a life empowered by God's Holy Spirit and nurtured by sound, pastoral guidance." This tells you that the school follows the teachings of the Pope, and seeks to make faith come alive both inside and outside the classroom.

Look for a Faith-Filled Environment

There are several ways to discern this, even without an on-site visit. Talk to your admissions counselor to see if they freely discuss the faith life of the students or their personal religious convictions or conversion. Carefully read the school's publication and visit their website. Find out:

  • Is there a thriving campus ministry program - one that offers retreats and other spiritual-growth programs? You should also expect to find evening music and worship services, and plenty of informal opportunities for fellowship.
  • Do students flock to Mass? (And not just on Sunday!). Ask how often the sacrament of reconciliation is available. That can tell you a lot about the character of the school - and your fellow students.
  • Is there an active pro-life group and other Catholic organizations on campus? Are there student-led spiritual organizations or clubs centered around Mary, or well-known saints? At some Universities, students can join 'households' - small groups patterned after the early Christian communities - which provide spiritual and social support.
  • Is there an international students' organization? Such a group can become your 'family away from home' - a place where you can find fun, friendships and support in your walk with Christ.

Catholicism in the Classroom

Look over the course catalog - a well-rounded Catholic university or college will offer a variety of courses in theology or religious studies. Look beyond these disciplines for coursework that integrates faith and reason; for instance, a Humanities and Catholic Culture Program, examining the impact of Catholicism worldwide, or the country's only Human Life Studies Minor at Franciscan University, preparing students to think, speak and act intelligently in the defense of the pro-life cause. Find out if liberal arts courses include the writings of great Catholic or Christian authors, such as St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Theresa of Avila, CS Lewis, and others.

Inquire: do some professors, no matter what their discipline, start class with a prayer? Have some professors deliberately chosen to teach at the school because of the school's Catholic reputation?

Oath of Fidelity and Profession of Faith

Some Catholic colleges find themselves facing tremendous pressure from faculty, alumni, donors and outside influences to compromise Church teachings in areas such as abortion, morality, and established Church teachings. Ask if the school requires that its theology professors and staff in pastoral ministry take an oath of fidelity to the Holy Father and make a profession of faith. You may want to refer to an official Church document, 'Ex Corde Ecclesia'. This writing of Pope John Paul II lists four distinct characteristics essential for the Catholic identity of a college or university:

1. Christian inspiration in individuals and the university community;
2. Reflection and research on human knowledge in the light of the Catholic faith;
3. Fidelity to the Christian message in conformity with the magisterium of the Church;
4. Commitment to the service of others.

Works of Charity

Many schools offer ways for students to help the poor, the oppressed and the needy. Look one step further for outreach programs that include evangelism, such as teaching Bible study to inner-city children, holding prayer services in prisons, or pilgrimages and other public expressions of faith.

As you gather your information, it is important to remember that a Catholic college is not just a school that focuses primarily on academics and adds something Catholic, such as a chaplain or a few theology courses. The school you choose will be your home for several years, so it is worth the extra effort to carefully research your options and choose a school that meets your academic and spiritual goals.

Author
Steve Zehler
Advertising & Publications Coordinator
Franciscan University of Steubenville