Catholic, Marianist Identity

The University of Dayton was founded by the Society of Mary in 1850. The brothers and priests of the Society of Mary are part of a worldwide Marianist family of Catholic brothers, priests, sisters and committed lay people.

The Society of Mary was founded in 1817 by Blessed William Joseph Chaminade (1761-1850), a priest in the diocese of Bordeaux, France. The Society of Mary is the male religious branch of the Marianist Family. Working closely with Father Chaminade in founding the Marianist Family were Marie Thérèse Charlotte de Lamourous (1754-1836). She was a close friend of Fr. Chaminade and collaborated with him in the establishment of the Sodality of the Madeleine, the lay branch of the Marianist family. Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon (1789-1828), foundress of the Marianist Sisters and foundress of the Association, also worked closely with Fr. Chaminade.

When the church of France lay dismembered and dispirited in the ashes of the French Revolution, these three founders of the Marianist Family — largely unaware of each other's work at the beginning, but then joining forces — formed communities called sodalities. These communities included both sexes, married and single people, religious, diocesan clergy and all classes of people. These were the faith communities that would help rebuild the Catholic church in France.

Eventually, some sodality members formed the nucleus of two religious congregations: for women, the Daughters of Mary Immaculate, the Marianist Sisters, (founded by Adèle de Batz de Trenquelléon in collaboration with Fr. Chaminade in 1816) and for men, the Society of Mary (founded in 1817).

As Mary had formed Jesus, she would now form new apostles to live the Gospel in a new age.

The Society of Mary was established in the U.S. in 1849 in Dayton. The Marianist Sisters were established in the US. in 1949 in Somerset, Texas.

Five elements characterize the Marianist approach to education:

Educate for formation in faith.

Marianist universities are committed to the development of the whole person, which includes the dimension of religious faith and its personal appropriation and practice.

Provide an integral, quality education.

The foundations of excellence in education flow from our emphasis on the dialogue between faith and reason in the service of the common good. Each member of our community is called to attentive presence, to participation in genuine community, and to competent and loving service.

Educate in family spirit.

The Marianist educational experience fosters the development of a community characterized by a sense of family spirit that accepts each person and invites them to build community within and beyond our campus. 

Educate for service, justice, peace and integrity of creation.

The Marianist approach to higher education is deeply committed to the common good. The intellectual life itself is undertaken as a form of service in the interest of justice and peace, and the university curriculum is designed to engage the classroom with the wider world. Marianist universities extend a special concern for those who are poor and marginalized, and promote the dignity, rights and responsibilities of all peoples.

Educate for adaptation and change.

In the midst of rapid social and technological transformation, Marianist universities adapt and change their methods and structures so that the wisdom of their educational philosophy and spirituality may be transmitted more fully.

As Marianists, we are called to live, learn, work and pray together in community.

The Marianist educational experience is characterized by a sense of family spirit that accepts each person and invites them to build community within and beyond our campus. It encourages us to build relationships that challenge and support one another. And it encourages us to grow in our journey to full human development.

At UD, Marianist values aren’t just given lip service. They are actions, intentionally woven throughout the UD campus, culture and curriculum to ensure the Marianist tradition lives on for generations to come.

In the past 50 years, the number of vowed Marianists in the U.S. has fallen from close to 1,400 to fewer than 350. The Forever Marianist Initiative ensures that the Marianist values central to UD's mission and identity will always live on as part of the UD experience.

Learn: Faith Formation

The Forever Marianist Initiative supports several components of faith formation. Students learn about the Marianist charism through Campus Ministry experiences, the Callings program and opportunities for leadership in faith. From spiritual retreats and academic classes that explore different religious traditions, to Marianist student communities and social justice initiatives in which faith translates to action, there is abundant opportunity for students to learn and live in faith.

The Forever Marianist Initiative also supports collections of the Marian Library, academic programs and the chapels that can be found across campus. These efforts give students even more ways to learn about, and grow in, faith.

Lead: Marianist Forever

True to one of the hallmarks of a Marianist education — to read the signs of the times and adapt accordingly — UD is growing the number of committed Marianist lay educators. Through mission-based staff retreats and a Marianist Educational Associates lay ministry program, UD faculty and staff participate in faith formation and make a commitment to sustain and enrich the Marianist tradition at UD. Ten years ago, UD was home to about 30 MEA members. Since then, nearly 100 more have completed the program.

Serve: Faith in Action

Linking scholarship and learning with leadership and service is another distinctive Marianist tradition at UD. Through the Center for the Integration of Faith and Work, the Center for Social Concern and the Fitz Center for Leadership in Community, students learn how to be ethical leaders in their chosen fields.

In addition, experiential learning opportunities like immersions through the ETHOS Center allow students to use their knowledge to make a positive impact on the world through service.