Spiritual Life
CHAPLAIN
The chaplain of the University is the Very Reverend Father John Reimann of Saint Anthony the Great Antiochian Orthodox Church in San Diego. He provides chapel services to all students and spiritual counseling upon request. Other options for spiritual counseling are available through the Office of Student Affairs.
A CHRIST-CENTERED UNIVERSITY
The mission of the University of Saint Katherine is to provide a balanced education in the liberal arts and sciences, founded and rooted in the life of the Orthodox Christian tradition – Inquiry Seeking Wisdom.
What exactly does this mean?
The University of Saint Katherine provides a balanced education for all our students, who acquire a broad foundation of knowledge and develop depth within a single concentration.
The University of Saint Katherine teaches the liberal arts and sciences. “Liber” is Latin for “free”; liberal learning thus refers to an education that trains students to analyze, think critically, and reflect upon ideas of great thinkers in ways that set them free from the biases and trivialities of the day. The interdisciplinary course sequence and general education courses cover quantitative and scientific thinking as well as the arts and humanities.
Founded in explicit reference to historic Orthodox Christianity and the only one of its kind in the United States, the University is named for an early saint who bravely challenged the paganism of her day with intelligence and rhetorical skill. The University seal incorporates fundamental Christian symbols with the wheel of Saint Katherine, the symbol of her courage and faith.
Rooted in the historic Orthodox Christian tradition, the University of Saint Katherine embraces students from all faiths and backgrounds, inviting all to a deeper understanding of the ancient Christian faith, transmitted in Orthodoxy since the original Pentecost. All students attend weekly chapel conducted by Orthodox Christian clergy and take foundational courses on the Bible, Orthodox Christianity, and interdisciplinary studies incorporating history, philosophy, and literature from Orthodox sources.
All degree programs are informed by Christian faith and ethics. Most faculty members begin classes with a prayer. Optional courses open to students in any undergraduate degree program cover topics such as Orthodox theology and history, ethics, Greek language, and Russian literature. The University has an undergraduate concentration and a Master’s degree program in Orthodox Christian Theology. All students, faculty, and staff are invited to periodic Forum Lectures given by Orthodox thought leaders from many walks of life.
Orthodox Christian Fellowship and Fellowship of Christian Athletes organize activities on campus in which all are welcome to participate. Faculty and staff members are happy to share their connections to different parishes in the area. Students are encouraged to attend regular services at a church of their choice and participate in the life of local church communities. There is a chapel on campus for individual and group use and several evening services are offered each term.
Inquiry Seeking Wisdom is the University’s motto. Wisdom is God and wisdom is understanding what is good and true. The faculty, staff, and students of the University of Saint Katherine are on a quest to know Wisdom and attain wisdom. This ultimate purpose inspires them to pursue joyful lives of learning, faith, and action – as family members, neighbors, employers and employees, citizens, children of God.
ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY
The University is an independent institution of higher education formed in the Orthodox Christian tradition. It is bound by the teachings and Canons of the Orthodox Church and maintains all of its rights to operate according to them. There are approximately 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide committed to the undivided Christian faith as revealed in Holy Scripture, the Nicene Creed, and the historic texts and Ecumenical Councils of the Christian Tradition. The University has received the blessings and encouragement of the western Orthodox Christian hierarchs who act as advisors. The President has served on the Theological Education Committee of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America. The University is named for the 4th century martyr Saint Katherine.
PRAYER FOR UNIVERSITY OF SAINT KATHERINE
Dear Lord, Jesus Christ, we thank you for all that you provide.
Please bless the students, faculty, and staff of the University of Saint Katherine today.
Please give us all strength, patience, and the love we need to honor You, one another, and the mission of this Holy University.
We pray for this in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For Christ is our life. Amen.
