Campus ministry is one of the primary charisms of the Richmond Diocese. Although there are no Catholic colleges or universities in the Diocese, it is home to sixty-eight higher-education institutions, among them thirty-seven four-year colleges and universities and numerous graduate and professional schools. Five of these colleges are historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The number of Catholic students on college and university campuses exceeds 88,000. Because so many of these students come from outside the Richmond diocese, our diocesan campus ministry programs make a major contribution to the life of the universal Church.

The years of higher education are a critical time for the formation of an adult Christian conscience and for integrating the quest for social justice into vocational discernment and into daily life. Amidst the clamor of calls from material culture and personal narcissism, our Catholic tradition has a liberating message of justice and powerful instruments of moral reflection and discipleship. Campus ministry provides a necessary opportunity not only to learn Gospel values -- perhaps for the first time -- but also to embrace them as an adult and to practice them on campus and through many programs of outreach. The role of alternative spring break programs and the commitment of the Diocese to Haiti are good practical examples of the application of Catholic moral teaching and just living.
  
One of the main challenges campus ministers experience is identifying the Catholic students on the campus they serve. You can help! If you are a student (or a parent of a student), please complete the on-line College Bound form. We will forward to the appropriate campus minister.