University of Notre DameFaith & Service
From its earliest days, Notre Dame’s distinctive mission has set it apart from other institutions of higher education. The difference lies not so much in terms of subject matter and academic disciplines as in the perception of how those disciplines ought to serve God and humanity. At the very heart of Notre Dame’s mission is its profound faith heritage and aspiration to be at the center of Catholic intellectual life—to be a bellwether institution in the pursuit of truth and knowledge, while remaining guided and elevated by the moral imperatives of the Catholic faith.
This dedication is seen in almost every aspect of the Notre Dame experience—from the residential nature of its campus, to the organizations and programs that support and enrich its faith tradition, through academic and community service programs, and through its founding order, the Congregation of Holy Cross, which still plays a vital role in the life of the University today.
A place of teaching and research, of scholarship and publication, of service and community, the University takes seriously our charge as a Catholic institution. Deeply committed to Father Sorin's vision that the University would be "one of the most powerful means of doing good in this country," a living Catholic mission continues to be the foundation of the University today. Report on Catholic Mission 2011
We invite you to explore the many ways in which Notre Dame fulfills its Catholic mission through faith and service:
“We have a much more challenging mission than most universities. Most universities strive simply to be excellent educational institutions by the accepted standards of the profession. We do this at Notre Dame, and we have had great success. But we also foster and celebrate a distinctive mission to be a Catholic university, inspired and guided by a great spiritual tradition.” Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., President
