Our Expression of Our Catholic Identity

Since its founding in 1846, Saint Xavier University has been a Catholic University that shares in the rich tradition of Catholic liberal arts higher education in the United States. By promoting careful observation, reflection, critical analysis, thoughtful discourse, and excellence in the activities of teaching and learning, the University’s educational programs advance disciplinary and professional excellence, ethical decision-making, and integrity in word and deed.

In supporting these and other activities, the Catholic Church in its Pastoral Constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae, recognizes the fundamental dignity of all persons who seek truth. Moreover, the Church supports academic freedom in seeking truth, especially religious truth.

Saint Xavier University’s Catholic identity is not only manifest in its liberal arts tradition and in its commitment to an unfettered search for truth, but also in its governance relationship to the Catholic Church and in its Catholic institutional ethos.

As founders and sponsors, the Sisters of Mercy negotiate the governance relationship with the Catholic Church through the “reserved powers” found in the University’s articles and by-laws. These canonical (Church) and civil responsibilities assist the Sisters of Mercy in its sponsorship of the University and in maintaining its Catholic identity.

Saint Xavier University is Catholic not only because it is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy but also because of the institutional ethos created by those who study teach, serve, and minister at the University. Saint Xavier University expresses this Catholic ethos:

By fostering learning for life and a critical and unimpeded search for truth, especially religious truth.
By supporting a serious search for God and the study of the texts and traditions that inform such a search.
By promoting the vigorous discussion of religious ideas.
By offering opportunities to reflect, pray, worship, and access the sacraments.
By engaging in the faithful transmission of the Catholic faith, its intellectual tradition, and its social teachings.
By linking the expression of one’s faith to the opportunity to learn about and serve others, just as Jesus served the least of his brothers and sisters.
By the tasteful and appropriate renderings and placement of Catholic/Christian signs and symbols throughout the University.
By promoting respect for and supporting others who want to learn about and express their religious beliefs, regardless of faith tradition.
By teaching the bases for making ethically sound judgments; and
By promoting a campus climate that is respectful, compassionate, hospitable, and open to diverse people holding diverse opinions about how to advance the common good.

Because it is particularly Catholic to understand, to celebrate, to discern the commonalities among, and to engage these voices in one conversation with the Catholic tradition, Saint Xavier University invites people of all faith traditions – and those professing no religious belief system – to seek truth, to search for God, and to learn about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.