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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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Learn more about Support and Well-Being

Faith and Mission News

May 20, 2025

Michael Naughton, director of the Center for Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas, shared some insight with the National Catholic Register on how Pope Leo XIV grew up, as Naughton is also from the Chicago area. From the story: In his first days as pope, Leo XIV has struck many as an unassuming… The post In the News: Michael Naughton on Pope Leo XIV’s Home Parish in Chicago appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• May 14, 2025

  Father Christopher Collins, vice president for mission at the University of St. Thomas, and Saint John Vianney College seminary student Brennan Crow were interviewed in a KARE 11 story about how Pope Leo XIV plans to approach sharing the Catholic faith among young people. From the story: Brennan Crow is a seminary student who got… The post In The News: Father Chris Collins on Pope Leo XIV and Young Catholic Faith appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• May 12, 2025

  Our St. Paul campus at the University of St. Thomas erupted in celebration on Thursday, May 8, as Pope Leo XIV was announced. A packed viewing party at Scooter’s, our own Popemobile parade, and even white smoke emanating from a chimney built for the occasion above our St. John Vianney (SJV) seminary marked a jubilant… The post Reflection: Pope Leo XIV and the Legacy of Catholic Social Teaching appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• May 9, 2025

  Mere minutes after white smoke began billowing out of a smokestack atop the Sistine Chapel in Rome, a similar scene began playing out at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Numerous media outlets interviewed members of the St. Thomas community who celebrated the selection of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope. From… The post In the News: Celebrating Pope Leo XIV appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.

• May 9, 2025

  Mere minutes after white smoke began billowing out of a smokestack atop the Sistine Chapel in Rome, a similar scene began playing out at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Seminarians at Saint John Vianney College Seminary (SJV) got right to work spreading the news. On the roof of their dormitory on the… The post Habemus Papam: St. Thomas Community Reacts to Selection of Pope Leo XIV appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.