In Catholic Studies, you will find a variety of other opportunities outside the classroom that allow you to challenge yourself, meet new people and get the most out of your Catholic Studies education. Catholic Studies is a community of Catholics who pray, live, socialize, learn, study abroad, serve and lead together.

Pray

Our students seek to grow closer to God through prayer and liturgy. Catholic Studies encourages this spiritual growth through opportunities for Mass, liturgies and retreats. Eucharistic Adoration, lead by student volunteers, is offered five days a week throughout the school year

 

Live

Students can choose to live in a house or residence hall that has an intentional emphasis on Catholic living.  These students live together in communal study prayers, meals, and fellowship. Communities  include the Catholic Women’s Floor, the Catholic Men’s Floor, the Catholic Women’s Houses, and the Catholic Men’s Houses.

The Center for Catholic Studies provides various events and opportunities to promote community and fellowship among students, alumni, staff, and faculty.  Regular events include a talent show, a casino night, an Ultimate Frisbee tournament, and an ice cream social.

Learn

Focusing on the Catholic intellectual tradition, the Center for Catholic Studies offers a variety of lectures and conferences. Check out our event page for recent events.

 

Study Abroad

Study in Rome is an integral part of the Catholic Studies program, with most students participating for a semester.  Students live in community at St. Thomas' Bernardi Residence on the Tiber River and take courses in English at the Dominican Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum).  Retreats, service, travel, and participation in papal liturgies are some of the opportunities available to Catholic Studies students studying in Rome. Read the Reflections from Rome blog to learn more about the program from a student’s perspective.

 

Serve

Based on the Catholic Church’s social teaching, the Center for Catholic Studies provides opportunities for students to serve the wider community.  In Rome, students serve with the Missionaries of Charity and the Sant’ Egidio Community.  Other students teach religious education and help with young adult formation with youth groups.

 

Lead

Catholic Studies students act as leaders in clubs and organizations across campus.  To help foster their growth, the Leadership Intern program brings together a group of dedicated Catholic Studies students who participate in ongoing leadership formation during the school year.  The program imparts a vision of Catholic leadership and provides a variety of opportunities to grow in leadership skills and character.  These students also attend a spring institute each year.  Past trips have included France, Washington D.C. Peru, and Denver, with each trip focusing on a different aspect of leadership.  In addition, our Latino Leadership program is designed form a new generation of Latino students in the Catholic intellectual tradition, in order to develop their potential for service and ministry within their communities.