Frequently Asked Questions
How Catholic is Bellarmine University?
For us, Catholic means that we are committed to the journey upon which
our spiritual mentor, Trappist monk Fr. Louis (Thomas Merton)
embarked. We acknowledge that we:
- are people of faith and prayer within a strong tradition of academic excellence which seeks to balance faith and reason,
- make decisions based upon values of hospitality, social justice, and the search for truth,
- encourage
all people of faith to pray, to listen, and to practice their values
within a spirit of ecumenical and interfaith sensitivity. Our current
student population is approximately 53% Catholic, 8% Mainline
Protestant, 15% Evangelical and Baptist; 20% have no religious
preference and 4% are Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or Buddhist.
- are
committed to providing opportunities for students to learn about and
practice their Catholic faith within our campus ministry programming
and our connections with two nearby parishes and the Archdiocese of
Louisville
- provide Masses for students on
Sunday, selected weekday, and Holy Days during the academic year as well
as retreats, speakers, and weekly activities to live and grow in their
faith.
What if I’m not Catholic? How welcome will I be?
Bellarmine is committed to hospitality and a spirit of welcome
toward students of all faith traditions. The Office of
Campus Ministry:
- facilitates
connections for Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist students
with area churches, temples, synagogues and centers
- sponsors
opportunities for students to meet within their respective faiths on
campus through dialogue, retreats, and activities.
- oversees
all faith-based organizations on campus which must be registered and
sign an annual pledge to respect the beliefs of others and refrain from
proselytizing.
- participates in interfaith
dialogue in our local community through membership in the Highland
Community Ministries and the Highland Shepherds to maintain a network
of faith-based support systems.
What do you mean by “independent” Catholic?
It means that we are: governed by a self-perpetuating lay Board of Trustees, on which representatives
from the Archdiocese and local religious orders also serve and that we are funded through tuition, endowment, and donations from individuals, rather than the local Church.
How closely do you follow Church teaching in the classroom?
As a University, we are
- committed to academic freedom to research and to question and to engage in open, respectful conversation
- loyal to an accurate, objective presentation of Church teaching in classes on Catholic theology
- encouraged
to listen to alternative answers and challenging viewpoints recognizing
that professors, guest speakers, and students will not always agree on
current opinions, pronouncements, or official declarations
Describe the Catholic sacramental life of Bellarmine.
Daily Mass is offered at two local (walking distance) parishes and
Sunday Mass is in Our Lady of the Woods Chapel during the academic
sessions. First Friday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation are celebrated
during the academic year. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available
before Mass on Sundays and through local parishes.
Because
we are not a parish, we do not offer regular sacramental classes, but
RCIA programs are available through local parishes for those seeking
full initiation into the Church (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist).
For students who have been baptized, but not fully initiated, there are
options through the Office of Campus Ministry in conjunction with the
Archdiocese’s Lifelong Formation Office.
We
encourage our engaged students and alumni to grow in faith as a couple
in their parish and to celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony there. At
this time, the Chapel is not available for weddings in any faith
tradition.
Describe Catholic study and devotional life at Bellarmine.
- Regular gatherings of the Catholic Students Association and the Kentucky Catholic Students Coalition
- Weekly scripture studies; small prayer groups in Residence halls
- Sunday and selected weekday masses
- Daily Morning Prayer in the Office, rosaries, novenas
- Stations of the Cross during Lent
- Retreats, days of reflection and meditation
- Trips to local convents, monasteries, and houses of prayer
For more information, please contact the Office of Campus Ministry at 502.272.8051