天主教的使命 & 部

概述

e世博esball大学是由圣. Katharine Drexel (1858-1955) who was canonized by the Pope John Paul II in 2000. Katharine was born into a deeply religious Catholic family of great wealth. Her profound love of God and neighbor led her to challenge her nation and her church to end their discriminatory mistreatment of Native Americans and African Americans. She was convinced that evangelization (serving the needs of others and preaching about God's love for every person) and quality education were the keys to racial justice and empowerment. To this end she built and staffed Catholic schools for Native and African Americans throughout the United States and founded a congregation of women religious (Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament) who wanted to share in her dedication to God and work for justice.

St. Katharine's foundational vision in beginning Xavier was the training of 学生 who would become servant-leaders in society, 政府和教会. The words on the cornerstone of Xavier's main administration building were chosen by St. Katharine to reflect that vision: "God's greatest work on earth is man; man's master art is leading men to God." Her vision is also found in the Xavier Mission Statement: "The ultimate purpose of the University is to contribute to the promotion of a more just and humane society by preparing its 学生 to assume roles of leadership and service.

Xavier began in 1915 as a college-prep high school and became an accredited 大学 in 1925. 按照凯瑟琳嬷嬷的设想，1968年. Norman Francis, a Xavier graduate, assumed leadership of the University. 同时, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament (SBS) turned over their fiduciary and legal responsibilities to an autonomous lay board. Since that time the SBS have retained one-third membership on the board and some SBS have continued to serve at Xavier in both teaching and staff roles.

虽然当地很多人都知道e世博esball的存在, it was not until 1932 when the beautiful main building of Xavier's current campus was dedicated that the university's identity as Catholic and Black was proclaimed more broadly in newspapers throughout the United States and even in Time magazine. Today that identity remains strong and Xavier's brand as the only Catholic HBCU (Historically Black 大学/University) continues to be a source of pride, e世博esball社区的尊严和灵感.

In 1980 Xavier's identity was further enhanced and celebrated with the creation of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies (IBCS.)住在e世博esball大学校园里, the Institute began with a Master's degree in Theology and later added Certificate and Enrichment courses in Youth 部, 用问答方式演讲, 和领导能力. 该研究所, 哪个在夏天开会, offers an immersion experience that provides an opportunity for African American Catholics and others to deepen their understanding of faith and culture and to share the gift of being Black and Catholic. 此外, 通过其员工, 教师, 学生, and graduates the IBCS has been a critical voice and presence that enriches the Church theologically and culturally, 在地方和普遍两级, and in significant and powerful ways that only future generations will be able to measure.

贯穿e世博esball的一生, 她的老师, 教职员工和学生都表现出了独特的意识, 和承诺, 我们的基本身份. 我们作为天主教徒和黑人的身份从来不是排他性的. 这将与我们的文化和宗教根源背道而驰. 我们的教师, staff and 学生 have always come from a variety of faith traditions and our 教师 and staff have always been culturally and racially diverse; since segregation was outlawed in 1954 our student body has become increasingly more diverse as well.

而我们作为黑人和天主教徒的基本身份是独一无二的, over the years we have expanded our understanding of our heritage to stretch beyond what we look like or where we worship. Our cultural and religious roots have shaped our 使命及核心价值 and so our identity and mission are integrated into every aspect of the university. Our institutional heart and soul will forever be Black and Catholic.

我们作为黑人和天主教徒的身份:

• Is nourished through an active 校园 部 staff who provide daily Eucharistic Liturgy and pastoral care; through a variety of activities and programs they encourage and nurture personal faith life and promote commitment to Christian values and Catholic social teachings.
• 是否反映在我们的学术课程中, 特别是在我们必修的核心课程中，包括2小时的. Freshman Seminar sequence that emphasizes Xavier's history and mission, 6 hrs. 神学，6小时. 哲学和3个小时. 非裔美国人的历史和文化.
• Is manifested in the integrity of our actions which are informed by our knowledge and understanding of our roots, 使命及核心价值.
• Impels us to seek academic excellence and develop leadership skills.
• Propels us into meaningful service and seeking unique ways of becoming agents of change in society.

e世博esball学院, staff and 学生 are frequently reminded that fidelity to our unique identity and heritage mandates our legacy. At Xavier the purpose of teaching and learning ~ acquiring knowledge, skills and values ~ is to enable graduates to become leaders who will change the world so it becomes more just and more humane.