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Marianist Identity
The goal of Marianist
education is to develop every student as a whole person,
helping them to understand the many different branches
of human knowledge, educating them to critical thinking
and stimulating their desire for truth and theory in
action.
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The Marianist Tradition
The Society of Mary, a religious congregation of Priests and Brothers, which established and sponsors the University of Dayton, was founded at Bordeaux, France in 1817 by Father William Joseph Chaminade. The Society is a part of a larger Family of Mary which includes the Daughters of Mary Immaculate, Marianist Sisters, who were founded in Agen, France in 1816 by Adele de Batz de Trenquelleon in collaboration with Father Chaminade, and a number of apostolic communities of lay collaborators.
The spirit of the Marianist Family is experienced within the University particularly through the elements of education, community, collaboration, service, and the spirit that inspired the Mother of God. Open to people of all backgrounds, Marianist education seeks to develop in students not only competence but also a sense of community: people living, working, and praying together to focus their energy and attention beyond the boundaries of their immediate community, serving as witnesses to the Gospel in the world. For inspiration and guidance in all these tasks, Marianist communities look to and celebrate the relationship between Jesus and Mary.
At the University of Dayton, students experience the different branches of the Marianist Family and the Marianist spirit in various ways. Vowed and non-vowed Marianists collaborate at every level of the university life and structure. These men and women are present among the ranks of the undergraduates and graduate students; they are faculty, staff, and administrators. From the ranks of the students to the executive level, Marianists are present everywhere. The majority of the vowed religious live in houses of six to ten members in the student neighborhood. This housing situation is done purposefully in order to provide an opportunity for on-going interaction among teachers and students, staff and co-workers. Because our learning village is composed of diverse peoples, this mingling is one of the ways in which the academic, social, spiritual, and physical lives of members are drawn into the University community.
The University of Dayton is part of a global Marianist network. UD graduates are involved in communities of the Marianist Family throughout the world. Each January, around Chaminade Day, the 22nd, this international dimension and the vision of the Marianist Founders are highlighted during the many events of Marianist Heritage Celebration.
The Program for Christian Leadership
The Program for Christian Leadership was created by a grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc., to develop opportunities for the students, faculty, and staff of the University of Dayton to explore vocation. This grant also allows the University to focus on the theological foundations and religious practices that characterize the Marianist and Catholic nature of the University of Dayton.
For more information:
- Characteristics of Marianist Universities
- Characteristics of a Marianist Education
- Marianists at the University of Dayton
- Campus Ministry at the University of Dayton
- Marianists Worldwide
- Office of the Rector
