Comparing two Catholic colleges: Gonzaga and Seattle U

Be it location, athletics or campus culture, the differences and similarities between Gonzaga University and Seattle U are common knowledge for students and collegiate professionals alike. However, one of the most defining contrasts between the Northwest's two Jesuit Catholic institutions is just that—Catholicism.

While both schools maintain a strong reputation as Jesuit Catholic universities, the expression and focus of the faith at the two institutions take somewhat different routes, both in the administrative approach to this fundamental characteristic and the culture that surrounds it.

As a result, Gonzaga has garnered the reputation as being a far more Catholic institution, while Seattle University is sometimes regarded as lukewarm in this respect.

Indeed, the numbers support the assumption that Gonzaga is the more Catholic school, with the National Catholic College Admission Association reporting that 50 percent of students at the institution identify as Catholics. Seattle University's student body is 35 percent Catholic with about 15 percent practicing, according to the association and Seattle U officials.

This cultural difference can also be seen in Mass attendance. Gonzaga easily fills its 800-seat cathedral for Sunday Masses but lacks a multifaith facility or non-Catholic services. Conversely, Seattle University maintains a popular Campus Ministry with an ecumenical approach, but struggles to fill it's the pews in its much smaller chapel on Sundays, except during the 9 p.m. student Mass. Seattle U has Protestant services in its ecumenical chapel while Gonzaga provides non-Catholic students with resources to find off-campus services for their faiths.

Seattle University's Fr. Patrick Howell, S.J. said a quick summary of the schools' differences was offered by a student he met who transferred from Gonzaga to Seattle U.
She told him: "I'm thankful for my Jesuit education, because I got liturgy at Gonzaga and social justice at Seattle U."