Mission, Convictions and Heritage

St. Thomas Mission Statement

Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good.

Our Convictions

1. Pursuit of Truth:

We value intellectual inquiry as a lifelong habit, the unfettered and impartial pursuit of truth in all its forms, the integration of knowledge across disciplines, and the imaginative and creative exploration of new ideas.

2. Academic Excellence:

We create a culture among faculty, students and staff that recognizes the power of ideas and rewards rigorous thinking.

3. Faith and Reason:

We actively engage Catholic intellectual tradition, which values the fundamental compatibility of faith and reason and fosters meaningful dialogue directed toward the flourishing of human culture.

4. Dignity:

We respect the dignity of each person and value the unique contributions that each brings to the greater mosaic of the university community.

5. Diversity:

We strive to create a vibrant diverse community in which, together, we work for a more just and inclusive society.

6. Personal Attention:

We foster a caring culture that supports the well-being of each member.

7. Gratitude:

We celebrate the achievements of all members of our community in goals attained and obstacles overcome, and in all things give praise to God.

The Common Good at St. Thomas

What do we mean by the common good? Fr. Chris Collins invites you to learn more about what that means for Tommies and how it relates to our mission at St. Thomas.

Our Founder: Archbishop John Ireland

St. Thomas was founded in 1885 by the great Archbishop John Ireland (1838-1913) on land given to him by William and Elizabeth Finn. Ireland was a leading figure in the Catholic Church and indeed in American politics during his life. As a child, he immigrated with his family from Ireland during the Great Famine, arriving in the United States among the masses of nineteenth-century refugees. Indeed, he founded St. Thomas in large part to serve the immigrant community in Minnesota. Ireland named his new school after St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), the most influential thinker in Catholic theology/philosophy.

Learn More About John Ireland

• John Ireland Libguide
• Founding Father: St. Thomas Celebrates Archbishop John Ireland 100 Years After His Death
• John Ireland: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (Video)

Our Patron Saint: St. Thomas Aquinas

Archbishop Ireland chose to name the college after St. Thomas Aquinas, the most influential scholar in Church history. In doing so, Ireland gave direction to the school based on St. Thomas’ work, notably his belief in the unity of faith and reason, his commitment to “inquiry into the reasons and principles of things,” and his innovative thinking.

Learn More About St. Thomas Aquinas

• St. Thomas Aquinas Libguide

“Grant, O merciful God, that I may ardently desire, prudently examine, truthfully acknowledge, and perfectly accomplish what is pleasing to Thee for the praise and glory of Thy name. Amen.”

The Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas

Catholic Traditions and Teaching

Catholic Intellectual Tradition

Catholic Social Teaching

The Dignity of Persons

Catholic Intellectual Tradition

The foundation of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition proposes that since God created everything, then study of any aspect of creation, especially any aspect of the human condition, is potentially a pathway to encountering God. All knowledge is unified and inseparable. When sought as a whole, wisdom is received as opposed to information being collected. This pursuit of wisdom is best done within the context of a community of scholars who pursue truth together. True discovery of wisdom is done in dialogue with others who humbly seek the truth which ultimately comes from God.

Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic social teaching, found in magisterial Church documents, invites us to take direct action to encounter the dignity of others and to create the conditions of solidarity within our communities.

The principles of Catholic social teaching challenge us to think critically about ourselves and our world, fueling innovative problem solving that serves to advance the common good.

• Catholic Social Teaching at St. Thomas (PDF)

The Dignity of Persons

Respect for the dignity of persons is the cornerstone of the moral life. It is one of the “Seven Convictions” of the University of St. Thomas and a principle of Catholic Social Teaching.

Encountering and responding to the dignity in others is central to being a morally responsible leader who thinks critically, acts wisely, and works skillfully to advance the common good. In other words, it is part of being a “Tommie.”

• The Dignity of Persons (PDF)

Catholic Intellectual Tradition

Catholic Intellectual Tradition

The foundation of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition proposes that since God created everything, then study of any aspect of creation, especially any aspect of the human condition, is potentially a pathway to encountering God. All knowledge is unified and inseparable. When sought as a whole, wisdom is received as opposed to information being collected. This pursuit of wisdom is best done within the context of a community of scholars who pursue truth together. True discovery of wisdom is done in dialogue with others who humbly seek the truth which ultimately comes from God.

Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic social teaching, found in magisterial Church documents, invites us to take direct action to encounter the dignity of others and to create the conditions of solidarity within our communities.

The principles of Catholic social teaching challenge us to think critically about ourselves and our world, fueling innovative problem solving that serves to advance the common good.

• Catholic Social Teaching at St. Thomas (PDF)

The Dignity of Persons

The Dignity of Persons

Respect for the dignity of persons is the cornerstone of the moral life. It is one of the “Seven Convictions” of the University of St. Thomas and a principle of Catholic Social Teaching.

Encountering and responding to the dignity in others is central to being a morally responsible leader who thinks critically, acts wisely, and works skillfully to advance the common good. In other words, it is part of being a “Tommie.”

• The Dignity of Persons (PDF)

We welcome those committed to searching for knowledge and to living all for the common good.

Our Gift to Serve

Charism of St. Thomas

A charism is a special gift given by the Holy Spirit to serve others. Our Charism is grounded on the vision of Archbishop Ireland, the intellectual rigor expressed in the work of St. Thomas Aquinas, and the moral guidance of Catholic Intellectual Tradition, all of which are inspired by Catholic Social Teaching.

These sources help us to articulate our impact on the lives of students and our contributions to the broader community.

Charism of St. Thomas (PDF)

Living Our Mission

Office for Mission

 The Office for Mission works to support and integrate the broad reach of the Catholic identity throughout the university as a whole.

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Learn more about Office for Mission

Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry celebrates the diversity of faith traditions in our university community through a variety of prayer, service and educational opportunities.

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Learn more about Campus Ministry

Center for the Common Good

The Center for the Common Good integrates community engagement into the fabric of life at St. Thomas by connecting students, faculty and staff with opportunities to learn with and from community partners.

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Learn more about Center for the Common Good

Committed to All Humans Flourishing

Our community is committed to championing a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that upholds human dignity.

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Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Care for Our Common Home

Sustainability is infused into every aspect of campus life, from academic programs and student activities to facilities and dining operations. We aim to be carbon neutral by 2035.

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Learn more about Sustainability

Support for Mind, Body and Spirit

Our conviction to personal attention embodies campus support services like the Center for Well-Being, which provides holistic physical and mental health resources.

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Learn more about Support and Well-Being

Faith and Mission News

November 28, 2023

Faith, Fraternity and Football: The Rector’s Bowl

The Saint Paul Seminary and Saint John Vianney College Seminary square off each fall in a game of flag football at the University of St. Thomas’ O’Shaughnessy Stadium. The Rectors’ Bowl is an annual celebration of both seminaries and the bonds that unite their communities as places of formation for men discerning the priesthood. “The… The post Faith, Fraternity and Football: The Rector’s Bowl appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• November 28, 2023

  Saint Paul Seminary Bucks National Trend With 100 Seminarians in 2023-24

  Even amid reports of declining priestly vocations, The Saint Paul Seminary began the 2023-24 academic year with its largest seminarian enrollment in a decade. Once again, over 1,000 future priests, deacons and lay leaders began formation at the seminary this fall. The 129-year-old seminary on the banks of the Mississippi River at the University of… The post Saint Paul Seminary Bucks National Trend With 100 Seminarians in 2023-24 appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• November 28, 2023

  Meet the New Priests Forming the Next Generation of Clergy

  On an early September day that feels like summer in Minnesota despite school being back in session, Father Nels Gjendahl greets every undergraduate student he meets during a walk across the University of St. Thomas campus. Many of them return his “hello” and smile with a grin or nod of their own. Others have AirPods… The post Meet the New Priests Forming the Next Generation of Clergy appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• November 27, 2023

  University Organist Presents Three Solo Concerts and Lecture in Poland

  Dr. Jacob Benda, director of music, liturgy and sacred arts and organ area professor at the University of St. Thomas, recently visited Krakow, Poland, to present three solo organ concerts and a lecture for the International Conference on Sacred Music at the Pontifical University of John Paul II. On Nov. 19, Benda performed inaugural concerts… The post University Organist Presents Three Solo Concerts and Lecture in Poland appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• November 22, 2023

  Series on Indigenous Relations Grapples With the History of University Land

  During the academic year 2023-24, the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas. is sponsoring a series of four on-campus events and two off-campus visits to sacred sites to learn more about Indigenous communities in Minnesota and the history of relations between especially the Dakota people and the Catholic Church. The… The post Series on Indigenous Relations Grapples With the History of University Land appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.