In Service to Church and Nation
University is unique among universities in the United States — even among Catholic universities. We are the national university of the Catholic Church in America, founded in 1887 by the bishops of the country with the approval of the Holy See. We take seriously our sacred responsibility to uphold the traditions of the Church and serve our nation, and we believe that students can thrive in a place where reason and faith thrive.
Our Catholic History
Upon our founding, Pope Leo XIII prayed that the University would “give to the Republic her best citizens,” and we are committed to fulfilling that mission.
Established as the only papally chartered graduate and research center in the United States by Pope Leo XIII and founded by the bishops of the United States in 1887, University is the nation’s oldest Catholic research university. We uphold the traditions of the Church, drawing on our rich heritage of academic excellence and faith-based education, as we shape future generations of scholars and leaders.
For more than 130 years, we have lived out our mission to discover and impart the truth through excellence in teaching and research, all in service to the Church, the nation, and the world. Catholic University scientists, engineers, nurses, philosophers, theologians, historians, architects, social workers, musicians, artists, and scholars in all fields embrace both reason and faith as we apply the inexhaustible resources of the Catholic intellectual tradition to help solve the problems of contemporary life and enrich the culture around us.
On our campus, you'll find a institution committed to both academic learning and spiritual enrichment guided by our Catholic identity, and the powerful combination these provide together.
