As summer turns to fall, students are heading off to college, many for the first time. With 2025 seeing the largest-ever high school graduating class, campuses across the country will be fuller than ever with new students ready to explore college life. Leaving home for the first time invites reflection on personal values, as home fades into the background and new friendships come into focus. What should you do to hold on to your faith?
Find Sunday Mass
Before you even set foot on campus, you can usually find out where and when Mass is offered. Newman Connection can be a first step to finding a Catholic Mass near or on your campus. Finding the location and schedule ahead of time makes it a lot easier to make sure you live out your faith on Sunday once you get to school. If there is not actually a Mass on campus or a campus ministry, look for a local Catholic church and find out the Mass schedule. Make a plan for transportation. Moving around can feel overwhelming for newly-arrived students, so planning ahead can make a huge difference.
Connect to Campus Ministry face-to-face
I love it when prospective students and their families visit us at the Duke Catholic Center. This human connection is vital. It makes it that much easier for you to participate in activities if you feel like you already have a connection. Introduce yourself. College will be full of new – and sometimes awkward – introductions. Reaching out to Campus Ministry, at least you have something in common, and they want to get to know you. Just go for it; it’s worth it!
Connect to Campus Ministry virtually
Hopefully, there is a campus ministry at the school where you are going. (if college is still a few years away, be sure to ask about Catholic campus ministry during school visits) You can send an email before you arrive to make sure that you are on the mailing list. Check for their presence on social media as well. Committing to your faith in college can be a challenge, and you can probably use all of the reminders you can get.
Sign up to volunteer
Most campus ministries have volunteer opportunities that help you build community at the same time that you are serving others. You’ll meet people who share your faith, and you get to live out your faith in a practical, fun way.
Join a Small Group
Bible studies or other small-group gatherings are a great way to grow in your faith during college. If you have not been baptized or confirmed, check to see if sacramental preparation is available, such as OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults). College can feel isolating at times – but as Pope Leo XIV reminds us, we are never alone.
What a joy it is to see young people committed to their faith and wanting to give meaning to their lives, allowing themselves to be guided by Christ and his Gospel! Baptism makes us full members of God’s great family. The initiative always comes from Him, and we respond by experiencing his saving love (Pope Leo XIV, 29 July 2025).
We can often feel that we are alone and isolated when starting college, especially if we are far from home. Pope Leo’s words remind us that the faith is a great adventure and that we do not have to step away during our college years.
Words of Encouragement
Pope Leo spoke to the young people in Rome for the Jubilee of Youth with the following words:
Today marks the beginning of a new journey, a jubilee of hope, and the world needs messages of hope. You are that message, and you must continue to give hope to everyone (Pope Leo XIV, 29 July 2025).
Starting college is exciting and overwhelming – but your faith doesn’t have to take a backseat. Start with one small step today: look up Mass times, follow campus ministry on Instagram, or email someone on staff. You’re not alone, and the Church wants to walk with you every step of the way.
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