“Road to Emmaus” sculpture by artist Paul Aschenbach, which stands in the courtyard between St. Edmunds, Jeanmarie and Cheray Halls.

A Mission Driven College

It is the Mission of Saint Michael’s College to contribute through higher education to the enhancement of the human person and the advancement of human culture in light of the Catholic faith.

The Division of Edmundite Mission promotes the college’s mission in two distinct ways.  First, students in their education and preparation for meaningful lives are offered experiential learning that is informed by the social teachings of the Catholic Church. Second, the lived history of the Society of Saint Edmund acts as a historical record of how the principles of social justice can reshape the lives of individuals living at the periphery of society.

Under the Division of Edmundite Mission are Campus Ministry, Mobilization of Volunteer Efforts (MOVE), the Institute for Equity and Justice, and the two Edmundite centers, the Center for Faith and Culture and the Center for Peace and Justice.

An Activism Rooted in Faith and a Faith That Does Justice

The Society of Saint Edmund, a Roman Catholic religious community of priests and brothers, has long championed the principles of social justice in its ministry to African Americans in the South, the poor of Caracas, and those in recovery from addiction. The lived history of Edmundites is one in which they have sought to stand in solidarity with those on the periphery of society. Accordingly, Saint Michael’s College, operating under the auspices of the Edmundite community, has as a major focus, in educating emerging adults, learning about the principles of social justice and the practice of social justice not only during the college years but also for life.

The Sacred Ground of the Other

The Division of Edmundite Mission embraces all students, faculty, and staff at St. Michael’s College.  As a Catholic college, Saint Michael’s uses the term “catholic” in its original biblical Greek meaning:  universal. Accordingly, the College welcome everyone and seeks to make the College a place where all can belong. The College values diversity and embraces the plurality of those who comprise the college community.  Each person’s uniqueness is prized.  As Pope Francis remarked when speaking of how people are to treat others, “The Church will have to initiate everyone—priests, religious and laity—into this ‘art of accompaniment’ which teaches us to remove our sandals before the sacred ground of the other (cf. Ex 3:5). (Evangelii Gaudium, 169).

About the Society of Saint Edmund

The Society of Saint Edmund focuses on the four core ministries of Social Justice, Education, Spiritual Renewal, and Pastoral Ministry and has served communities across the United States, including Vermont; Selma, Alabama; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Mystic, Connecticut.

The Edmundites help foster a thriving campus ministry at Saint Michael’s, feed the hungry and homeless, counsel recovering alcoholics in 12-step programs and work to make a home for people in the Catholic Church.

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