priest here, the students would be missing
the most important part of their formation
as human beings. Our motto is taken from
the Scripture: “be transformed by the
renewal of your mind” (Rom. 12:2).
What is the main challenge to campus
ministry today?
Fr. Sebastian White, O.P., with students
at the NYU Catholic Center
PREACHING GOD’S
UNCHANGING LOVE
ON CAMPUS
The
Dominican
Friars
are
preaching the truth of Jesus
Christ at Dartmouth, Brown,
UVA, NYU, Johns Hopkins, and
American University as campus
chaplains.
BlackFriars
spoke
with
NYU
Catholic
Center
chaplain Fr. Sebastian White,
O.P., about his ministry, which
has led many students to enter
the Catholic Church or return to
the Sacraments.
How do you see your role at NYU?
The Catholic Center at NYU exists to help
students know Jesus Christ and understand
their true purpose, which is to live and
love eternally with God. NYU is considered
a top school, but if there were no Catholic
The mentality of our culture orders
everything to serve the self, even the
begetting of children, who are often raised
to fit their parents’ lifestyle and affirm their
self-image. Many kids who get into elite
universities have experienced some form
of this. Students need much more than
possessions and opportunities: they need
love. Real love.
How are the friars meeting this challenge?
The Dominican Friars are able to share
the truth of God’s love in a way that is
compelling. I often tell students what I
learned from Fr. Romanus Cessario, O.P.:
God does not love you because you are
good, but because He is good. God’s love
for you doesn’t change. Sin can frustrate
that in your life, but God doesn’t change,
which is why, no matter what you do, you
gain nothing by hiding from Him or not
bringing your sins to Him. Progress in
Christian Life is a deepening realization of
the truth of God’s love for you, and being
transformed by that love.
Your generosity gives friars like Fr. White
the formation they need to evangelize on
campus! Thank you!
“NYU is considered a top school, but if there were no Catholic
priest here, the students would be missing the most important
part of their formation as human beings.”
BlackFriars - Volume III, Issue II
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