Keeping the faith in college

Many students find that their faith becomes truly their own in college, and many drift. The difference often comes down to a few habits formed in the first weeks.

1. Find Sunday Mass before classes start

The Catechism calls the Sunday Eucharist “the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice” (CCC 2181), and the Church’s precept asks the faithful to “participate in the Mass” on Sundays and holy days (CCC 2180). Look up the Mass times on your school’s page in this guide, then confirm them with the parish or campus ministry, and go the first Sunday.

2. Make confession a regular rhythm

Many campus ministries schedule confession every week. Pick a time, put it on your calendar, and keep it, especially during the busy stretches of midterms and finals.

3. Join one Catholic community

A Bible study, a service group, a choir, or a retreat team: one community where people know your name makes all the difference. Every school page in this guide lists the Catholic clubs and activities its campus ministry publishes.

4. Introduce yourself to the chaplain

Priests and campus ministers want to meet new students. Send a short email over the summer. Signed-in users can find the campus minister’s contact information and a ready-to-edit introduction email on each school page.

5. Keep thinking

Take a theology or philosophy elective even if your major doesn’t require one. Questions that come up in other classes deserve serious answers, and the Catholic intellectual tradition has many.