It is sometimes difficult to find a traditionally conservative Catholic education.
Although there are more than 200 Catholic colleges in the United States, only 27 are listed on the Newman Guide, which is the main list of schools for Catholics seeking conservative religious education. The list includes schools such as the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Thomas Aquinas College, and Christendom College.
Unsurprisingly, conservative Catholic students have gravitated towards the Newman schools. Meanwhile, Catholics at more progressive institutions have worked hard to build communities where they can pursue their educations while also upholding their traditional values.
Franciscan University of Steubenville student Eli Thomas has experienced both sides of the equation.
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Eli initially attended a state school near his hometown. However, he felt uncomfortable expressing his opinions and sharing his faith on campus, which ultimately led to his transfer to Franciscan.
“One thing that I like better about being at Franciscan rather than a secular school is that I can speak my faith,” he told the New Guard, “I don’t have to speak from a defensive standpoint.”
When asked how his faith life changed, Eli said, “Being at Franciscan has shown me that it takes good community to be a good Catholic…it was more difficult to find that at other places.”
Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, California, is another example of a traditionally conservative academic institution.
Isabel Garcia, a student at Aquinas, chose the school “because I always wanted a Classical Liberal education and I wanted to be able to think critically,” she said. “I thought it was worth investing in an education that would make me such a well-rounded, articulate person.”
When asked about her faith life at school, Isabel said that it has “definitely been sustained on campus … We have four different masses every day, confession before and after every Mass, adoration every single day.”
“Our faith enlightens everything we learn and all the classes we take,” she added. “You can be friends with anyone, you can sit down with anyone.”
The Newman schools are not the only institutions offering conservative Catholic formation. Although they’re not listed on the Newman Guide, colleges such as Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, are similar to the Newman schools in terms of education and identity. Creighton is a Jesuit college where students such as Luke Hardy say they’ve received a valuable Catholic education.
“I think there is a large percentage of students that are attending Mass, joining Bible studies or religious groups, or going to other churches around the area,” Luke told the New Guard.
He highlighted Creighton’s beautiful church and the Jesuits on campus, which he said make it easy to attend Mass throughout the day.
Lastly, there are the Catholics who attend more progressive institutions. Those who say they’re thriving also say it takes a few extra steps.
Paris Apodaca, a student at the University of Washington in Seattle, the least religious city in the United States, has found an active faith community at her school, despite pushback.
“Professors are not always very welcoming to that,” she said, “they really see me as the enemy.” Apodaca added, “Peers are almost astounded that anyone could believe in God.”
Even with these obstacles, Paris is confident that she made the right choice in attending UW. She said the Newman Center on campus is very active, with constant prayer, Masses, and events, fostering a strong sense of belonging.
“As a Catholic who attends a secular school,” she said, “I really believe we are called to be in the world, not apart from it. Christ didn’t isolate himself from the culture. He entered it and spoke his truth, and people listened to him.”
Her message is to “go where God tells you…go where your faith can help the most people.”
Simon Olech is a reporter studying journalism at the National Journalism Center in Washington, D.C.
