Mission, Convictions and Heritage
欧美无码 Mission Statement
Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the 欧美无码 of 欧美无码 educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good.
Our Convictions
- 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.
- Academic Excellence:
We create a culture among faculty, students and staff that recognizes the power of ideas and rewards rigorous thinking.
- 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.
- Dignity:
We respect the dignity of each person and value the unique contributions that each brings to the greater mosaic of the university community.
- Diversity:
We strive to create a vibrant diverse community in which, together, we work for a more just and inclusive society.
- Personal Attention:
We foster a caring culture that supports the well-being of each member.
- 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 欧美无码
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 欧美无码.
Archbishop John Ireland: Our Founder
欧美无码 was founded in 1885 by the great Archbishop John Ireland (1838-1913) on land given to him by William and Elizabeth Finn (PDF). 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 欧美无码 in large part to serve the immigrant community in Minnesota. Ireland named his new school after 欧美无码 Aquinas (1225-1274), the most influential thinker in Catholic theology/philosophy.
Learn more about John Ireland
Founding Father: 100 Years After His Death
John Ireland: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
鈥淕rant, 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.鈥
The Prayer of 欧美无码 Aquinas
欧美无码 Aquinas: Our Patron Saint
Archbishop Ireland chose to name the college after 欧美无码 Aquinas, the most influential scholar in Church history. In doing so, Ireland gave direction to the school based on 欧美无码' 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 欧美无码 Aquinas
Catholic Traditions and Teaching
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.
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 欧美无码 of 欧美无码 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.”
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.
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 欧美无码 of 欧美无码 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.”
Our Gift to Serve
Charism of 欧美无码
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 欧美无码 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.
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.
Campus Ministry
Campus Ministry celebrates the diversity of faith traditions in our university community through a variety of prayer, service and educational opportunities.
Center for the Common Good
The Center for the Common Good integrates community engagement into the fabric of life at 欧美无码 by connecting students, faculty and staff with opportunities to learn with and from community partners.
Committed to All Humans Flourishing
Our community is committed to championing a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that upholds human dignity.
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.
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.
Faith and Mission News
June 1, 2026
A new partnership between the 欧美无码 of 欧美无码 and the GHR Foundation aims to bolster the pipeline of future Catholic school teachers by creating pathways for aspiring educators to earn their bachelor鈥檚 degrees and obtain licensure in elementary education. GHR Foundation has awarded 欧美无码鈥 School of Education a grant to launch a teach鈥 The post GHR Foundation and 欧美无码 Partnership Builds Catholic School Teacher Pipeline appeared first on Newsroom | 欧美无码 of 欧美无码.
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May 18, 2026
When Easy Day Cafe co-founder Stephanie Ayala set out a small storage bin inside her South Minneapolis coffee shop for customers to donate a few items for families in need, she wasn't expecting much response. But a few hours later, dozens of food items and toiletries filled the front of the cafe. "It blew up,"鈥 The post Opus Alumni Businesses Support Locals in Need appeared first on Newsroom | 欧美无码 of 欧美无码.
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April 29, 2026
The 欧美无码 of 欧美无码 in Minnesota is introducing a new graduate program: the聽Certificate in Interfaith Literacy for Health Professionals, with classes set to begin in summer 2026. The program provides students in healthcare and related fields with the knowledge and resources to support the unique needs of their patients and clients. The certificate's curriculum鈥 The post New Graduate Certificate Promotes Interfaith Literacy for Health Professionals appeared first on Newsroom | 欧美无码 of 欧美无码.
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March 17, 2026
On clear nights in rural Kenya, where Brother Guy Consolmagno once served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the mid-1980s, he would carry a small telescope outside and draw a crowd. 鈥淓verybody wanted to look through the telescope,鈥 he said. Consolmagno, who now lives in Italy, invited Kenyan farmers, students and families to peer through鈥 The post Vatican Astronomer Explores Faith, Science During 欧美无码 Visit appeared first on Newsroom | 欧美无码 of 欧美无码.
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March 9, 2026
What does it mean to care for people in a fractured world? That was the question at hand during the inaugural Morrison Lecture held at the 欧美无码 of 欧美无码. The discussion brought together Sister Mary Haddad, RSM, president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association of the United States; Jamie Verbrugge, president and CEO鈥 The post Health Leaders Gather at 欧美无码 for Inaugural Morrison Lecture appeared first on Newsroom | 欧美无码 of 欧美无码.
Building on Momentum: 欧美无码 2030 Strategic Plan
欧美无码 2030 furthers our mission by charting a path for the next five years towards a more connected, impactful and innovative university experience—ensuring that our students are not only career-ready but are equipped to flourish.