University of Saint Mary of the Lake

Mission

The mission of the Pontifical Faculty of Theology is to foster teaching and research concerning Christian revelation, especially as understood in the Catholic dogmatic and theological tradition. As expressed in the Statutes, the objectives of the Pontifical Faculty are:

(a) to study Christian revelation scientifically and in depth, to relate harmoniously to more recent advances of the human sciences, and to present Christian revelation in a suitable way to contemporary people (Sapientia Christiana 2);

(b) to illustrate Catholic doctrine from divine revelation in such a way that students may understand it clearly, see its relevance to their own lives, and learn to communicate it effectively to others (Sapientia Christiana 66);

(c) to make available to candidates for the priesthood and to other qualified persons a graduate course of studies in the sacred sciences (Sapientia Christiana 2);

(d) to provide scholarly collaboration with the local and the universal Church, in conjunction with the hierarchy, in the task of evangelization (Sapientia Christiana 2);

(e) in accordance with the norms of the directory for ecumenism, to promote dialogue with Christians of other traditions, with non-Christians and with nonbelievers, in order to seek a clearer understanding of the spiritual values of other faiths and to promote a greater degree of Christian unity (Sapientia Christiana 69). 

History

INTRODUCTION:

On September 30, 1929, the Sacred Congregation of Seminaries and Universities, now known as the Congregation for Catholic Education for Seminaries and Educational Institutions, established at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, Mundelein, Illinois, a Pontifical Faculty of Theology authorized to grant Pontifical degrees for a period of five years. The Sacred Congregation made this authorization permanent in a decree on September 21, 1934. Since 1930 the Pontifical Faculty of Theology at the University of St. Mary of the Lake has conferred forty doctorates (S.T.D.), more than five hundred licentiates of sacred theology (S.T.L.), and over eight hundred baccalaureates of sacred theology (S.T.B.).

LOCATION AND GOVERNANCE:

The Pontifical Faculty of Theology is located in Mundelein, Illinois, about forty miles northwest of Chicago. The Pontifical Faculty functions as part of the University of St. Mary of the Lake. The University also includes the Graduate School of Theology (Mundelein Seminary), the Liturgical Institute, and the Department of Ministerial and Continuing Education. The Graduate School of Theology offers programs leading to the M. Div., M.A.L, M.A. (Liturgical Studies) and the D. Min., under the university’s civil charter. The Pontifical Faculty of Theology offers programs leading to the Baccalaureate (S.T.B.), the Licentiate (S.T.L.), and the Doctorate (S.T.D.) of Sacred Theology.

The Archbishop of Chicago is ex officio the Chancellor of both the University of Saint Mary of the Lake and the Pontifical Faculty of Theology. The Chancellor nominates the President of the Pontifical Faculty of Theology, who is appointed by the Congregation for Catholic Education.

The Statutes of the Pontifical Faculty of Theology set forth the governance and policies of the faculty. They were revised in light of the apostolic constitution, Sapientia Christiana, and were approved ad decennium by the Congregation for Catholic Education on 24 June 2006 .