Here at the Mount, we mean it when we say it’s about something much bigger than any of us. 
“Contemplate how you are being asked to give your heart to God amidst your everyday activities. Be prepared to meet your grace in every circumstance of life.” -St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Our Mission

  Mission Statement

Mount St. Joseph University is a Catholic academic community grounded in the spiritual values and vision of its founders, the Sisters of Charity. The University educates its students through interdisciplinary liberal arts, and professional curricula emphasizing values, integrity, and social responsibility. 

 

Members of the MSJ Community embrace:

  • Excellence in academic endeavors
  • The integration of life and learning
  • Respect and concern for all persons
  • Diversity of cultures and beliefs
  • Service to others.

Faith & Wisdom

Catholic Identity Statement

The Catholic Identity of the University is rooted in our Mission, in the Gospel values of service, compassion, and charity, and in the legacy and vision of our founders the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. As an institution Catholic in faith and tradition, we commit ourselves to creating an inclusive environment where persons of all faiths and no faith are welcomed. We expect and value mutual respect, by all and for all, in our pursuit of knowledge and truth and in our search for the sacred.  

Commitment to Service

The Service Learning & Civic Engagement Office at Mount St. Joseph University provides a comprehensive array of engaged experiences that help students to be prepared to lead in the workplace and in the community. Visit the Service Learning page to learn more.

The Mater Dei Chapel

Mater Dei Chapel has served as a focal point at the Mount since its completion in 1962, and as a testiment to Mount St. Joseph University's Catholic Heritage and its commitment to providing meaningful student experiences. The Mater Dei (which means Mother of God) Chapel is a two-story, mid-century modern style collegiate chapel located on Mount St. Joseph University’s campus. The interior of the Chapel is adorned with mid-century liturgical works of art that have a high degree of artistic value.

The overall interior design of Mater Dei Chapel and its associated works of art were fabricated under the direction of the University’s art department chair and Sister of Charity, Sister Augusta Zimmer, SC. The original Chapel design was proposed by the campus architect, L.P. Cotter, in 1958. Sister Augusta, along with three Mount St. Joseph University students, Margaret Rolfes Brungs ’60, Judith Dettenwanger Ebbeler ’61, and Marlene Hoffman ’61, are responsible for the interior design, furnishings, and works of art within Mater Dei Chapel. Sister Augusta was assisted by Sister Ann Austin Mooney, SC, and Sister Loretta Ann McCarty, SC, who also contributed liturgical art to the newly constructed chapel.

On March 4, 2024, the Mater Dei Chapel was named to the National Register of Historic Places by the Department of The Interior. In celebration of this recognition, the University created a documentary about the Chapel titled MATER DEI CHAPEL: A Story of Sacred Art & Inspirational Women. In this film, Ebbeler ’61 and Brungs ’60 share stories of the design and creation of the Mater Dei Chapel. They also recount stories of Hoffman '61, Sister Augusta, and Sister Maria Corona Molloy. The introduction features Sister Judith Metz, SC, and Maddie Williams, MSA Design. 

A short was also produced, titled MATER DEI CHAPEL: The Journey to the National Register—featuring Metz, SC, and Williams. They provide an overview of the unique history and creation of Mater Dei Chapel, as well as additional information on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

To view a virtual tour of the beautiful Mater Dei Chapel, click the video below:

Launch Experience