Amplification of the Mission Statement

A.To prepare consecrated women, and those discerning a vocation to the consecrated life, for leadership positions in educational, pastoral, religious and social services. The program pursues an integral formation that maintains quality intellectual, spiritual and social standards; forms character; and emphasizes service.

Mater Ecclesiae is committed to:

1. Intellectual Development:

Mater Ecclesiae is aware that students’ quest for the truth includes:

“The search for an integration of knowledge, a dialogue between faith and reason, an ethical concern, and a theological perspective.” (Ex Corde Ecclesiae1 15)

To this end, Mater Ecclesiae pursues:
• An interdisciplinary academic program of humanities, philosophy, theology, natural and social sciences, offering specialization in pastoral ministry, ethics, and mass media, as well as training in management administration, written and oral communication, and information technology skills.
• The development, refinement and structuring of intellectual capacities and the acquisition of dispositions and habits associated with intellectual maturity.

2. Spiritual Development:

Mater Ecclesiae seeks to provide:

“A faith-context that forms men and women capable of rational and critical judgment and conscious of the transcendent dignity of the human person…” (Ex Corde Ecclesiae 49)

• By cultivating a community that reflects its faith in its daily activities.
• By providing a rich faith environment for students, faculty and staff, offering daily Mass, spiritual counseling and sacramental life, and abundant opportunities for personal and community prayer life.

3. Social Development:

Mater Ecclesiae recognizes that:

“A specific priority is the need to examine and evaluate the predominant values and norms of modern society and culture in a Christian perspective, and the responsibility to try to communicate to society those ethical and religious principles which give full meaning to human life.” (Ex Corde Ecclesiae 33)

Therefore, Mater Ecclesiae seeks to:
• Incorporate moral values in fieldwork and professional training opportunities in order to contribute concretely to the Church’s work of evangelization and the progress of society.
• Provide students with multiple opportunities to interact with off-campus peers and younger women in a context of leadership and cooperation.

4. Character Development:

Mater Ecclesiae is committed to:

“[Assisting] each of its members to achieve wholeness as human persons…” (Ex Corde Ecclesiae 21)

• Through the formation of a rich and balanced human personality, harmoniously
integrating essential components of character development: leadership, teamwork, responsibility, decision-making, communication skills, and professional
standards.
• By combining personal attention with abundant opportunities for growth, emphasizing the acquisition of human and social virtues through fieldwork and group dynamics.

B. Founded on Judeo-Christian values in the Catholic heritage and in the spirit of Ex Corde Ecclesiae

Mater Ecclesiae is committed to maintaining:

“Fidelity to the Christian message as it comes to us through the Church…” (Ex Corde Ecclesiae 13)

• By studying the Catholic Church’s history, Magisterium, and official documents
and teachings in order to gain understanding, through faith and reason.

C. To provide a personalized, community-based and teaching-centered environment,
rooted in the spirituality of the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi Movement.

Mater Ecclesiae is committed to fostering:

“[A] community [that] is animated by a spirit of freedom and charity…characterized by mutual respect, sincere dialogue, and protection of the rights of individuals.” (Ex Corde Ecclesiae 21)

• Through a small fertile environment that allows students, faculty and staff to live in a spirit of Christian cooperation and openness.
• By complementing a balanced academic curriculum with a broad spectrum of activities and service projects.
• By engaging students in apostolic activities.

D. To integrate vocational development with leadership service in an international
community

Mater Ecclesiae is committed to instilling in students:

“The enthusiasm of being the trained ‘leaders’ of tomorrow, of being witnesses to Christ in whatever place they may exercise their profession.” (Ex Corde Ecclesiae 23)

• By promoting cultural dialogue and awareness in its international body of students and faculty.
• By enabling its students to acquire an enterprising spirit of service and leadership
skills.
• By requiring proficiency in at least one foreign language.

E. To prepare students to pursue higher degrees and meet the educational, moral, social and professional needs of an increasingly global society.

Mater Ecclesiae is committed to serving the needs of the local, national and international community by forming its graduates for:

Education:
• Teaching, counseling and the administration of educational institutions in several countries as part of an international educational network associated with the Legionaries of Christ

Pastoral and Religious Services:
• Family counseling and spiritual guidance
• Integral formation of girls and young women

Social Services:
• Exercising leadership positions at the service of public welfare
• Missionary work and providing material and spiritual assistance for the underprivileged
• Promoting ethical and spiritual values through the mass media

Mater Ecclesiae provides quality liberal arts programs conducive to the pursuit of graduate and post-graduate degrees.

Mater Ecclesiae offers its graduates ongoing personal and professional opportunities
for life-long learning.

1 John Paul II, Apostolic Constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae. This document is concerned with the identity, mission and norms for Catholic Universities.