Don’t tell the ACLU but the motto of Princeton University is Dei sub numine viget (Latin, "Under God’s light she flourishes"). The she likely refers to Princeton, of course, but lately it can also mean the Catholic Church. In a recent column, George Weigel spotlighted the beginnings of a Catholic renaissance on the campus of Princeton University:
"Having taught James Madison at the College of New Jersey (as Princeton was then known), the Rev. John Witherspoon has a claim to the honorable title, ‘Grandfather of the U.S. Constitution.’ What, I wonder, would a good Presbyterian Scotsman like Witherspoon make of the fact that Princeton University Chapel now has a Blessed Sacrament chapel, complete with tabernacle and icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe?
"Some might imagine the good reverend spinning in his grave at an impressive rate of r.p.m.’s. I think he’d be pleased, once he got over the initial shock. For Princeton’s vibrant Catholic community is, today, at the center of the enterprise to which John Witherspoon dedicated his life: the dialogue of faith and reason in the service of democracy and human freedom. If you’re a student looking for an intellectually challenging education and a Catholic community whole-heartedly committed to the new evangelization, or if you’re a parent looking for such a school for your son or daughter, you could do far worse than look at Princeton. Indeed, you’d be far better off with Princeton than with several high-priced institutions whose Catholicism is vestigial at best.
"The Princeton Catholic renaissance is nothing short of amazing — and heartening. It’s currently led by a marvelous chaplain, Father Tom Mullelly, who believes in leading by forming leaders. Three Sunday Masses, a well-attended daily Mass, and adoration of the Blessed sacrament keep Princeton’s Catholics eucharistically centered. The RCIA program brings new Princetonian Catholics into the Church every Holy Week — during which outdoor stations of the cross give a powerful witness to the central story of western civilization. Numerous Bible studies, ‘Catholic principles’ studies, and similar discussion groups maintain a lively conversation about Catholic truth and its application in the world. The campus ministry organizes an annual spring pilgrimage (Rome and Spain were recent destinations). Distinguished Catholic speakers are regularly invited to campus; a Gregorian chant choir offers an introduction to classic Catholic music; and Princeton’s Catholics pray Vespers every Tuesday evening with Princeton’s Episcopalians and Lutherans."
All too often I’m asked by Catholic parents to give a list of 100-percent Catholic colleges and universities. I do my best to help them find that information, but I also caution them to be open to the possibility that there may be vibrant Catholic communities at otherwise secular universities that can act as counterbalance to a secular education. While that’s not as ideal as a 100-percent Catholic college, it’s a much better option than a nominally-Catholic university, an orthodox Catholic college that doesn’t fit a particular student’s education needs, or a secular university devoid of a Catholic presence.
It’s great to know that if your kid is Ivy-League material, Princeton offers a great Catholic environment in which he or she can flourish.
Texas A&M University would also be one of those secular colleges with a vibrant Catholic community, with 11,000 students who are active Catholics and a significant source of religious and priestly vocations.
Gig ’em David! Whoop for St. Mary’s Catholic Center at Texas A&M University 🙂
WHOOP! (I have SP’s) for St. Mary’s at Texas A&M as well!!!!
“Viget” could mean just as easily mean “it flourishes” (or “he flourishes,” for that matter) as “she flourishes.” There is no implicit personification of Princeton in the original Latin.
I’ve been trying to figure out what is on the seal. It looks like: VET NOV TES TAM EN TUM
I’m going to guess that the last four syllables form the word TESTAMENTUM, so my only unsolved piece is, VET NOV.
Anybody know?
The VET and NOV are probably VETUS and NOVUM. That is, OLD and NEW.
I have to give props to the Newman Center at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. There aren’t 11,000 of them, but it’s a great community nonetheless.
The Catholic community here at MIT is actually the largest student group on campus. We have 3 masses on campus on Sundays, Tuesday and Friday mass, two nights of exposition per week, two weekly scripture studies, daily morning and evening prayer, and Rosary. It’s largely student-powered– there’s a remarkable amount of energy amoung young Catholics these days. People are usually surprised when they hear about all the Catholic energy at a place like MIT, but it’s here and it’s real.
I also recommend:
Several of the public universities of the Peoria Diocese:
Illinois State University (my alma mater)
University of Illinois
Western Illinois University
Bradley University
And, any public university with a team of missionaries from the Fellowship of Catholic University Students.
I work at Princeton University and completely agree with everything George Weigel stated. It’s a beautiful place and it’s wonderful that the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the tabernacle in the chapel; a great place to visit anytime of day.
Daily Mass is amazingly well attended, the students are enthusiastic about their faith, and Father Tom is an absolute blessing.
And yes, George Weigel was a recent speaker.
The “she” is normal here, since universitas is feminine.
But numen = divine power (lumen = light).
Phoo. Princeton rejected my application and now here I am … well let’s just say my university isn’t going to make it on your list anytime soon.
“The ‘she’ is normal here, since universitas is feminine.”
In Latin, it’s true, “universitas” is feminine. But we’re talking about how to translate the expression into English. In English, “university” is neuter.