The Division of Mission and Identity seeks ways to develop relationships throughout campus that help our students, faculty and staff to see their learning, teaching and research at Duquesne as part of a larger effort to serve the common good. Our numerous programs add to the academic experience on campus in order to help you expand your horizons or to take a break, step back and breathe for a moment amidst all that is going on in our world today.

Mission, Vision and Values

Learn about the Our Spiritan Tradition
The Spiritan Congregation began in France in 1703. Theirs is a story that spans more than three centuries, criss-crosses continents in war-time and in peace, and features the selflessness of thousands of priests, brothers and lay persons who have forgone society's aspirations to power, prestige, and wealth. Rather, they made and continue to make profound sacrifices to minister to the poor and disadvantaged. The Spiritan commitment to serving the disadvantaged led to the founding of Duquesne University -- then a secondary school -- as a school for the immigrant poor in Pittsburgh. Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a Catholic university founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, the Spiritans, and sustained through a partnership of laity and religious. Through campus-wide collaboration we work to integrate the Spiritan mission of the University into all aspects of campus life as seamlessly as possible.
Under the direction of the Division of Mission of Identity, the Center for Catholic Faith and Culture, the Center for Spiritan Studies and Spiritan Campus Ministry encourage students, faculty and staff to visualize their work as part of a larger effort to serve the common good.
  • Commitment to excellence in liberal and professional education
  • Profound concern for moral and spiritual values
  • Maintaining an ecumenical atmosphere open to diversity
  • Service to the Church, the community, the nation, and the world

Our Spiritan Identity

Fr. Ray French

Duquesne University is a community of scholars who live the Spiritan-led commitment of service to all and who share God's wisdom and academia's knowledge with those who seek it.

The Rev. Raymond French, C.S.Sp. Vice President for Mission and Identity

Spiritans in Action

While the members of the Division of Mission and Identity are not out doing their usual workshops and presentations on the Spiritans, we hope you will enjoy some of the videos below that give some great insight on the Congregation of the Holy Spirit

Photo of children from Africa smiling at the camera

Spiritans in Mission

The Congregation of the Holy Spirit is a Catholic religious congregation founded in France in 1703. Also known as the Spiritans, our mission for more than 300 years has been to evangelize the poor and marginalized all over the world.

Photo of Fr. Francis Libermann

Fr. Francis Mary Paul Libermann

This excellent short video is the translation into English of a video produced in France by Fr. Jean-Yves Urfié, C.S.Sp. Fr. Jean-Yves used Dennis Woytek's beautiful anchor's voice for voice-over comments. Dennis is an American retired prof. of Video (Multimedia Dept.) at Duquesne University.

A photo of St. Etienne du Mont

Poorest of the Poor - St Étienne du Mont

This short video shows the place (at the head of St Étienne-du-Mont church) where the Founder of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit was buried in a mass grave.

Annual Events

All Mission & Identity Events

Feast on Feast Days

This year we are kicking of Founders Week with a double dose of Feast on Feast Days! Join us for Bruegger’s Bagels at 8am on the 3rd floor of the Student Union at 8:00am and again for walking tacos on the 2nd floor of the Student Union at 1:00pm.

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  • Student Union
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“Be the Change” Post-Grad Service & Non-Profit Showcase

Interested in some post-graduate opportunities that may be off the beaten path? Join us to network with alumni & representatives recruiting for service years, fellowships, and graduate programs locally, nationally, and abroad!

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  • Student Union
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Mass in the Duquesne Chapel

Feast Day Mass for Venerable Francis Libermann

Please join us as we celebrate the feast day of Spiritan co-founder Francis Libermann at the noon Liturgy.

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  • Duquesne University Chapel of the Holy Spirit
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Candle with light flickering in a hand.

Candlemas

In many Christian traditions including Roman Catholic, February 2nd is Candlemas, a celebration of light while our days are still very short in this part of the world.  Join us as we offer our intentions for how we hope to live our individual callings in the world in 2026.

Place candles around the co

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  • Assumption Hall
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Fr. Ray French, Vice President for Mission and Identity

Interview with a Spiritan Luncheon: Fr. Ray French C.S.Sp.

Please join us for lunch with Fr. Ray French, Vice President for Mission and Identity, as he shares stories from his journeys in east Africa, the UK, and here in the states.

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  • Union Africa Room
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Mission and Identity

Rev. Raymond French, C.S.Sp.