Our College's Catholic Nature and Character, as inspired by
Ex Corde Ecclesiae
The name of the College, along with its mission and related statements of its core principles, clearly identify the nature and character of the College as Catholic. The “Rosary” is a Catholic prayer that was officially approved by the Catholic Church in the 15th century by Pope Sixtus IV. The College’s reason for existing, as expressed in its mission statement, is to provide “education in the Catholic tradition”. The College’s vision is to continue the movement in America towards renewed “Catholic liberal education”.
Catholic Universities are called to explore courageously the riches of Revelation and of nature so that the united endeavour of intelligence and faith will enable people to come to the full measure of their humanity, created in the image and likeness of God, renewed even more marvellously, after sin, in Christ, and called to shine forth in the light of the Spirit (Ex Corde Ecclesiae 5).
4 Essential Characteristics of a Catholic University
1. A Christian inspiration not only of individuals but of the university community as such
2. A continuing reflection in the light of the Catholic faith upon the growing treasury of human knowledge, to which it seeks to contribute by its own research;
3. Fidelity to the Christian message as it comes to us through the Church
4. An institutional commitment to the service of the people of God and of the human family in their pilgrimage to the transcendent goal which gives meaning to life (Ex Corde Ecclesiae 13)
The founders of Rosary College desired a respected institution rooted in classical and Catholic liberal arts education that would aid the human family in the search for meaning, knowledge, and truth amidst an era of rapid technological and scientific advancement and “incomparably fertile dialogue with people of every culture” (Ex Corde Ecclesiae 6). The College becomes Catholic in reality when its faculty, and every employee of the College, affirm and act on the principles contained in the College’s Mission Statement. All faculty members and employees, along with the Board of Trustees, are expected to publicly declare the Catholic Profession of Faith, and anyone who is exempted is expected in virtue of their contract of employment to respect and support the College’s Mission Statement. The College’s faculty and employees bear a ministerial role in the Church as participants in the priestly office of Christ, and have a responsibility to promote eternal salvation. Each faculty member is, in addition, expected to reflect on the College’s Catholic nature and character by reading Ex Corde Ecclesiae annually, attending an annual faculty meeting on the apostolic constitution, and considering how their teaching and research contributes to the Catholic mission of the College. Rosary College’s expectation of faculty and employees is that upholding and promoting the College’s Catholic nature and character is the responsibility of the entire College community. Furthermore, the Mission states that the College will encourage “students to use prayer and work in their quest to discover the truth and beauty of God”. The College finds inspiration in the Benedictine tradition of ora et labora, and faculty are required to begin each class with prayer or spiritual reading and incorporate these ideals into their research and teaching. Meeting these expectations is a consideration in faculty and employee hiring and evaluations. Additionally, every year there is an internal review of the congruence of the academic program, student life program, and other activities with the institution’s Catholic mission, including the ideals and principles expressed in Ex Corde Ecclesiae, and a report is sent to the Board of Trustees.