Called to a Greater Purpose
LIVING OUR CATHOLIC IDENTITY AT SETON HALL
Welcome to Seton Hall — A Community Rich in Tradition and Alive in
Faith
Since 1856, our Catholic faith and mission have guided every decision at the University. They direct, enliven, propel and illuminate our school and its community. In the tradition of American Catholic higher education, Seton Hall is a place of many firsts. We are a university founded as an apostolate of the local Church by Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley, the first bishop of Newark. Bayley chose to name the school in honor of his aunt, Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first Americanborn saint. We are the first institution in the world to be named in her honor.
Our mission goes all the way back to Jesus Christ’s mandate to the disciples that they go out and teach all the nations (cf. Mt. 28:19 - 20). Faithfulness to that commission has led the Church to give rise
to the university system. That distinctly Catholic tradition has always understood higher education as a comprehensive thing forming the whole person. The goal is far more than a career but to receive what God has in mind for each of us, a fulfillment beyond anything we can imagine (cf. 1 Cor. 2:9).
For our students — Catholic and non-Catholic alike — Seton Hall is a formative experience that imparts a way of thinking, a way of being, and a way of interacting with the world. This proceeds from our Catholic faith, which instructs us that the human person is made in God’s image and likeness. In this way, we understand there is great value to developing the entire person — in mind, body and spirit — so that every individual can contribute to society as God would have it.
Ultimately, our Catholic identity and mission foster equal measures of hope, realism, faith and knowledge. We offer this signature formation so students from across the country and around the world will graduate into lives of enlightenment, excellence and empathy. I hope these pages give you a sense of the wide and deep experiences we offer to students as a committed and faithful Catholic university.
Yours truly in the Lord Jesus, Monsignor Joseph R. Reilly, S.T.L. Ph.D. President
Because We Are Catholic, We Seek Truth, Foster Hope and Pursue the Common Good
As one of the country’s leading Catholic universities, Seton Hall is rooted in tradition, committed to service, and energetically engaged in shaping the future of faith and learning.
We invite you to explore our story, discover our programs, and engage with our initiatives. Together, they reflect the expression and depth of our Catholic mission to be “a home for the mind, the heart and the spirit.”
Our Catholic Roots
Seton Hall was founded just a few years after the establishment of the then Diocese of Newark in 1853. Bishop James Roosevelt Bayley, the first Bishop of Newark (1853 –72), established the school among his top priorities and named it Seton Hall College in honor of his aunt, Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American-born saint and founder of the American parochial school system.
Born in 1774, Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton faced early tragedy with the deaths of her father and husband, leaving her a widowed mother of five in financial hardship. Her deepening faith led to her conversion, despite the social alienation many Catholics faced. In 1808, she moved to Maryland, where she founded Saint Joseph’s Academy and Free School, the first U.S. Catholic parochial school for girls, and the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph, the first American religious community for women. Canonized in 1975, Mother Seton is honored as a pioneer of Catholic education, with Seton Hall University bearing her name and her motto: Hazard Zet Forward — No matter the risk, move forward.
Our Catholic Mission Nourishes the Mind, the Heart and the Spirit
The Office of Mission and Ministry ensures that Seton Hall remains true to its Catholic mission. It leads initiatives that integrate values, faith and intellectual tradition. It also supports the University’s commitment to shaping students’ minds, hearts and spirits, while also forming servant leaders who can tranform the world with the power of the Gospel.
The Department of Campus Ministry is a central part of the Office of Mission and Ministry, providing opportunities for students to immerse themselves in the Catholic faith and explore our rich tradition of belief and practice.
Daily and Sunday Masses are offered at our beloved Chapel of the Immaculate Conception , which was dedicated in 1870 and is considered the “Heart of the Hall.” Masses are celebrated on weekdays
6 • Living Our Catholic Identity at Seton Hall University
at 8 a.m., noon and 5 p.m., and on Sundays at 10 a.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. We also celebrate special liturgies as a University community for all holidays and feasts.
During the academic year, students can take a break and spend time in quiet prayer with Jesus during Eucharistic Exposition and Adoration on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, from 12:30 – 4:45 p.m. Confessions are heard at the chapel Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 9 p.m.
We welcome students to serve our community liturgies as lectors, altar servers, greeters and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. Students also share their musical talents as members of our St. Cecilia Student Choir, which provides accompaniment at our Sunday Masses and at major university liturgies. We also welcome back alumni and benefactors to celebrate all of life’s special moments, especially weddings and baptisms, in our Chapel of the Immaculate Conception.
Non-Catholic students interested in exploring the Catholic faith and those who have already been baptized are invited to join the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), where they can prepare for receiving their sacraments and find a supportive community to help them along the way.
More than 30 priests call Seton Hall home, serving as administrators, faculty and staff, as well as performing pastoral duties for the University and local communities. They are always available to listen and provide guidance and support, and are one of the three confidential resources offered to our student community in addition to Health Services and Counseling and Psychological Services.
Seton Hall hosts nearly a dozen young adult Catholic missionaries from the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) and St. Paul’s Outreach (SPO) who help students discover their faith through conversations, small group encounters, Bible studies, lectures, retreats, hikes, meals and many special gatherings throughout the year.
Living Our Catholic Identity at Seton Hall University
Brothers and Sisters of the Community of St. John play an active part in the missionary community on campus by providing one-on-one spiritual counseling and accompanying students through the process of receiving their sacraments of baptism, confirmation and first holy communion.
In Obedience to Jesus Christ, We Embrace and Care for All People
Seton Hall welcomes students of all faiths. While about 70 percent of our students are Catholic, there are significant groups of Jewish, Muslim, Protestant, Hindu and Buddhist students, among others.
Take Heart, Take Action
Through the Division of Volunteer Efforts (DOVE), students dedicate more than 40,000 hours each year to making a difference — whether serving meals in soup kitchens, supporting after-school programs, cultivating community gardens, mentoring local children or brightening days at nursing homes.
DOVE goes beyond local service by offering service-learning courses that connect classroom learning to real-world needs, creating meaningful change in our community. Students can also take part in transformative mission trips to El Salvador and West Virginia, as well as weekend immersion experiences in Philadelphia. In all of these experiences, students have the opportunity to gain new perspectives on the meaning of Christian charity and explore their faith through service to others.
Spiritual Events and Programs
Campus life is brimming with clubs and activities for students. Among them is the student-faculty coffeehouse, Agape Latte, which provides a relaxed space where people come to share stories of faith and God’s unconditional love in their lives.
During Lent, students organize many different events around the themes of prayer, fasting and charity toward others to draw closer to God and to prepare themselves for Easter in meaningful and life-changing ways.
The spirit of joy and generosity is celebrated as Christmas at the Hall comes to campus each year. An annual tree lighting, Christmas at the Hall Mass, residence hall nativity blessings, caroling and festive parties galore have helped make Seton Hall number one for Christmas spirit.
Seton Hall is proud to be a Laudato Si’ campus, meaning we are aligned with Pope Francis’ groundbreaking 2015 encyclical that calls us to care for our common home and uphold the dignity of all created life.
Living Our Catholic Identity at Seton Hall University
Our Catholic Faith Requires a Strong Commitment to Intellectual Exploration
The University Core
Our core curriculum provides the foundation of general education at Seton Hall. These common courses encourage students to be thoughtful, compassionate and ethically responsible leaders committed to service. Rooted in questions central, though not exclusive, to the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, the required coursework emphasizes student self-awareness, intellectual and moral engagement, critical thinking, effective communication and the development of servant leadership skills for a diverse and ever-changing world.
Theological Education
Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology (ICSST) is our school of theology and the major seminary of the Archdiocese of Newark. ICSST admits seminarians studying for the Catholic priesthood, religious sisters and brothers, permanent deacon candidates and lay students.
At the undergraduate level, ICSST offers a B.A. in Catholic Theology, providing a solid theological education rooted in the mission of the Church, preparing candidates for a major seminary and for work in the world. Undergraduate students can also add a minor or second major in Theology to help deepen their faith and enrich their academic experience.
At the graduate level, ICSST offers multiple programs, including the M.Div., the M.A. in Pastoral Ministry, the M.A. in Jewish-Christian Studies and the M.A. in Theology, with specializations in Systematic Theology, Moral Theology, Biblical Studies and Church History.
Professors in the School of Theology bring diverse professional backgrounds — including law, science, medicine, business and international relations — which allow them to help students connect their theological studies with a wide range of disciplines.
Catholic Studies Program
Founded in 1997, the Catholic Studies Program is open to students of all faiths, and is designed for those seeking to integrate their academic studies and career goals with the rich intellectual, spiritual, moral and cultural traditions of Catholicism and its living heritage.
The program offers both a B.A. and minor in Catholic Studies, as well as international study programs, and options for double majors. Signature initiatives include the Archbishop Myers Lecture Series and other distinguished events, scholarships supporting student excellence and engagement, faculty support, and scholarship and membership in the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU) Catholic Studies Group.
As a Catholic University, Faith in Christ Jesus Calls Us to Think Deeply and
Explore Boldly
Centers and Institutes
Mission-driven centers and scholarly institutes play a vital role in infusing Catholic values, faith and intellectual heritage throughout the University. They also support the formation of servant leaders by fostering a culture of ethical engagement, service and academic excellence.
Founded in 1997, the Center for Catholic Studies advances Seton Hall’s Catholic mission through innovative and dynamic initiatives. As an incubator for programs promoting our Catholic identity, the Center fosters interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration among faculty, administrators, students and the wider community. Through its three affiliated institutes, along with scholarly research, publications and programming, the Center continues to inspire new ideas and deepen engagement with the Catholic Intellectual Tradition.
The Center focuses on international scholarship and is home to the Bernard J. Lonergan Institute, the G.K. Chesterton Institute for Faith and Culture and the Micah Institute for Business and Economics. The Institutes offer opportunities for study and research and ongoing programs related to faith and culture.
The Institute for Communication and Religion (ICR) is an affiliated unit within the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media. ICR is an interdisciplinary nexus for communication and media scholarship addressing the critical intersection between religion and society. Guided by the principles of ecumenical and interreligious cooperation found in Nostra Aetate and Unitatis Redintegratio , the Institute seeks to engage in public dialogue and debate, promote academic inquiry, and support religious dimensions of creativity.
The Center for Vocation and Servant Leadership offers creative and effective programming that encourages faculty and administrators to integrate the University’s Catholic mission into their life and work at Seton Hall. For students, the Center prepares a new generation of leaders for society through the Servant Leader Scholar Program, which promotes academic excellence and fosters servant leadership through service.
The Center hosts seminars on the University’s Catholic mission to engage faculty and administrators in the process of mission integration within their disciplines, while fostering interdisciplinary conversation and collaboration. An annual retreat series offers the opportunity for input and guided reflection on foundational ideas of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition.
The Seton Hall chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists fosters fellowship among Catholic scientists and witnesses to the harmony of faith and reason. It hopes to answer the call of Pope St. John Paul II that “members of the Church who are active scientists” be of service
to those who are attempting to “integrate the worlds of science and religion in their own intellectual and spiritual lives.” The Society does this through conferences, symposia and seminars, discussion groups, lectures and other activities.
The Center for Diaconal Formation at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, provides graduate-level academic formation for candidates preparing for the permanent diaconate.
St. Andrew’s College Seminary is the Archdiocese of Newark’s undergraduate seminary. Housed in a Tudor Revival building just a few blocks from Seton Hall’s main campus, it offers young men discerning a call to the priesthood a supportive environment for spiritual growth, academic formation and community life dedicated to service in the Church.
The Institute of Judeo-Christian Studies is the world’s oldest academic institution dedicated to advancing Catholic-Jewish relations.
Since its founding in 1953, the Institute has worked to foster a deeper appreciation of Judaism and the Jewish people — promoting interreligious understanding through scholarly research, publications and a wide range of educational events.
The Institute is affiliated with the master’s and certificate programs in Jewish-Christian Studies, which explore the history, theology, ethics and scriptures of Jewish and Christian traditions. These programs are supported by the Sister Rose Thering Fund, which has been advancing Sister Rose Thering’s legacy of promoting understanding through education and interreligious cooperation since 1993.
The Stanley Jaki Academy for Theology and Science is a collaborative initiative of the Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Center for Catholic Studies
at Seton Hall University. It seeks to renew and expand the Catholic Intellectual Tradition’s engagement with the sciences by fostering research, teaching and public dialogue at the intersection of theology and scientific inquiry. Named in honor of the late Father Stanley L. Jaki, OSB, S.T.D., Ph.D., a Templeton Prize laureate, theologian and physicist who taught at Seton Hall, the Academy affirms the University’s legacy as a home for significant and impactful scholarship in the dialogue between faith and reason with an international scope.
The New Jersey Catholic Historical Commission produces scholarly and popular histories of the Catholic Church and of Catholics in New Jersey. Thanks to the collections here at the University, we are proud to be an established research facility for the study of Catholics and Catholicism in the Garden State.
Student Scholarship
Arcadia: A Student Journal for Faith and Culture is an annual publication of the Catholic Studies Program that allows undergraduate and graduate students to engage in the dialogue between the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and all areas of contemporary culture.
Founded in 2018, The Heart of the Hall is a student publication of the Office of Mission and Ministry. Its mission is to publish articles to lead students, faculty and alumni to recognize the value in the Catholic Mission at Seton Hall University, by drawing their hearts and minds towards Catholicism’s truth and beauty.
Seton Hall’s Alpha Mu Chapter of Delta Epsilon Sigma is a national scholastic honor society for students, faculty and alumni of Catholic colleges and universities.
For further information about Seton Hall’s Catholic Mission, please explore our website www.shu.edu/catholic - mission.
Faith and Hope
In half a lifetime spent at Seton Hall, I have always cherished its steadfast commitment to a founding vision which places the whole person at the center of its concerns. Faith-seeking understanding has always been at the core of our work as a Catholic university.
— Dermot Quinn, D.P hil .
Trust and Integrity
Integrity for me is coherence between what I teach and how I live: transparent grading, scrupulous attribution in my scholarship, and the humility to acknowledge mistakes so that truth remains central.
— Ines Murzaku, P h .D.
Courage and Curiosity
To help students develop courage and curiosity to engage with their world, I am working in the tradition of our Monsignor Fahy, who set that example for us decades ago in his outreach to the community to address real problems in a concrete way.
— Melinda Papaccio, M.A.
Compassion and Service
A natural outgrowth of compassion is service. In the Core we explore how these two important components of Catholic identity and mission go together, and when they do intertwine, they can inspire transformative action in our suffering world.
— Nancy Enright, P h .D.
Love and Action
Teaching at Seton Hall gifts me with the opportunity to explore with students, through texts and conversations, the essential way in which love must be grounded in action — compelling us to move beyond mere speculative reflections on love and to strive for a more just and equitable world.
— Todd Stockdale, P h .D.
Purpose and Resilience
Time and again I have been inspired by my colleagues who remain devoted to their teaching and service in the face of personal, institutional and societal challenges because they are motivated by love of God and love of neighbor.
— Patrick Manning, P h .D.
SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON