How Catholic are Catholic universities? The Register surveyed colleges to find out how they rate on several objective criteria (see page 2).

But what about information not covered by the survey? Here's a glimpse of how the “Catholic culture” looks at those schools which responded:

Aquinas College

Nashville, Tenn.

Regular Mass schedule during the fall and spring semesters, and the chapel is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Ave Maria College

Ypsilanti, Mich.

Mass, Rosary and Eucharistic adoration are offered. The Regina Coeli Coffeehouse provides students with an informal gathering place on campus with free coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Student organizations include Students for Life.

Ave Maria University

Naples, Fla.

Ave Maria University plans to move to a permanent campus in Fall 2006, some 26 miles from its interim Naples campus. Mass, Rosary and Eucharistic adoration are offered.

Belmont Abbey College

Belmont, N.C.

On-campus devotional activities include Eucharistic liturgies, reconciliation, adult initiation and other prayer experiences. Belmont Abbey students participate in annual trips to the March for Life in Washington, D.C.

Benedictine College

Atchison, Kansas Student Masses take place daily. There is confession 30 minutes prior to every student Mass. The campus ministry sponsors several devotions and groups. Students participate in the annual March for Life conference.

The Catholic University of America

Washington, D.C.

Mass takes place every weekday (along with a weekly “house Mass”) and on Sunday. Eucharistic adoration occurs two nights a week. Confessions are heard weekly as well as twice annually in each of the student dorms on campus. The Students for Life group is very active in overseeing Catholic University's involvement in the yearly March for Life.

Christendom College

Front Royal, Va.

Two daily Masses on weekdays, one a day on weekends. Daily Rosary and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Many students engage in pro-life activities such as Shield of Roses, which sponsors weekly prayer vigils at abortion sites in the Washington, D.C., area.

Franciscan University of Steubenville

Steubenville, Ohio

Devotional activities include three Masses daily, a monthly Spanish Mass, perpetual Eucharistic adoration during semesters, holy hours, Bible studies, retreats, lectures, and festivals of praise scheduled throughout the semester. Households — groups of five to 20 students who share, support and pray with one another — form the basis for campus life. Students for Life organizes the university's Pro-life Memorial Service and participation in the March for Life.

Magdalen College

Warner, N.H.

The College offers Mass daily, Rosary, and confession, Eucharistic adoration every Friday, and on Sundays the community participates in Benediction and adoration. Each dorm has a chapel with the Blessed Sacrament is present. Annually the student body attends the local March for Life.

St. Gregory's University

Shawnee, Okla.

The Center for Spiritual Development is a focal point of campus life that promotes services to parishes and Oklahoma's Catholic youth. The university offers weekly Eucharistic celebrations, retreats spiritual direction, prayer services, and vocational discernment.

St. Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, Maine From the website: “Spiritual growth opportunities: Sunday Mass, daily Mass or communion service, interfaith services, Journey in Faith, Bible study, recitation of the Rosary, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, individual spiritual direction, spiritual retreats.” The school also offers volunteer service opportunities and justice and peace initiatives.

COLLEGE OF SAINT THOMAS MORE

Fort Worth, Texas From the website: “Sponsored College activities include daily Mass; lunches; weekly lectures and student seminars … May Crowning. The conduct of students and their guests at these functions is governed by … the character of the College as a Catholic institution, and general standards of civil behavior.”

Southern Catholic College

Dawsonville, Ga.

From the website: “Daily Mass is offered, and significant feast days celebrated, as part of the college calendar. Confession will be offered regularly. Other devotions, including Eucharistic adoration and the holy Rosary, will be available as part of daily college life.”

Thomas Aquinas College

Santa Paula, Calif.

Mass is offered three times daily in the college chapel. Confessions are heard after every Mass and at other times throughout the week. Eucharistic adoration takes place several hours each day. Students travel weekly to abortion businesses in the area to counsel and pray.

Thomas More College of Liberal Arts

Merrimack, N.H.

The “order of the day” at Thomas More includes time for Mass, special programs, days of recollection, and retreats. The sophomore class spends the spring semester in Rome.

University of St. Thomas

Houston, Texas

Mass takes place daily. The “Sunday Nites at Nine” features a series of homilies on contemporary issues. The Catholic Intellectual Tradition Lecture Series has featured Peter Kreeft, George Weigel, and Cardinal Avery Dulles.

UNIVERSITY OF SACRAMENTO

Sacramento, Calif.

At this new school, Mass, confession and Eucharistic adoration are offered in the chapel of the downtown Sacramento campus.