Alta Via
Intentionally Catholic College Community
ALTA VIA AT SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY
What is Alta Via?
Alta Via is an intentional community of Catholic students, guided by clergy and professors, who seek to grow closer to Jesus Christ through communal life, intellectual and spiritual formation, and the exercise of the moral virtues.
Alta Via is Latin for "the high road." This phrase signifies that the purpose for this group is to aid Catholic students on their upward journey to the promised land of eternal life.
The Alta Via Experience
Academic
Alta Via students take a specially designed, free, 1 credit course in theology every semester taught by faculty from the SFU Theology department. The purpose of these courses is to give students a mature understanding of the essential truths of the Catholic faith and to equip them with the intellectual virtue needed to bear fruitful witness to the faith in a secular world. The four year sequence of courses follows the structure of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (doctrinal, moral, sacramental, prayer) and focuses on reading, discussing, and applying the texts of Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. Alta Via students are also required to satisfy SFU’s Core Curriculum 3-credit Theology requirement by taking an upper level (200+) theology course, such as THEO 204-Christology, THEO 305-Salvation and Atonement, THEO 330-The Sacrifice of the Mass, THEO 350-The Triune God, etc. Completion of all Alta Via coursework results in 11 total credits in theology and sets students on their way, if they wish, to pursue a Theology minor (15 credits) or major/second major (30 credits). Information regarding the theology program can be found here: Theology and Philosophy Department.
Spiritual
Every semester Alta Via students meet individually on several occasions with a Franciscan priest from our Campus Ministry staff in order to set and discuss personal spiritual goals and to talk through the everyday challenges and opportunities of following Christ on a college campus. These meetings also give students a regular opportunity, if they desire, to receive confidential spiritual direction as well as the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Fellowship
In addition to their weekly theology classes, Campus Ministry organizes regular events which foster fellowship and friendship among Alta Via students as well as other Catholic students on campus. The university also ensures that Alta Via students who wish to room together in their sophomore-senior years are enabled to do so. Finally, in the summer following their junior year, each Alta Via class joins the Franciscan priests from Campus Ministry, as well as a few SFU faculty and staff, on a pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi. The cost of flights, lodging and most meals are fully covered. The purpose of this pilgrimage is to prayerfully visit the most significant sites from the life of St. Francis as well as the numerous Churches and shrines in Rome and the Vatican. Attendance at a public audience with Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter’s square is also typically included.
1st Year
Professing the Faith
2nd Year
Living the Faith
3rd Year
Praying the Faith
4th Year
Witnessing the Faith
Pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome
In the summer between junior and senior year, the Alta Via students go on a 10-day pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome. This pilgrimage involves praying at and visiting the important sites of the life of St. Francis of Assisi. In addition, the students visit and pray at the beautiful Catholic churches in Rome and connect with the roots of our shared Catholic Faith.
This pilgrimage is a powerful opportunity to deepen one's faith by walking in the footsteps of St. Francis as well as connecting to the powerful Catholic history of Rome. Time for reflection upon this pilgrimage is part of the fourth year of the Alta Via Program: Witnessing the Faith.
The Madonna della Pietà, The Tau Cross, and Saint Claire of Assisi
Ancient Roman Ruins in Rome, the Colosseum, and Vittoriano
2024 Rome & Assisi Pilgrims, Pope Francis, and Saint Carlos Acutis
Santi Cosma e Damiano, the Hermitage of Saint Francis of Assisi, and Bascilica in Rome
Student Testimonials
Membership Information
The community will be open to a select group of incoming first-year SFU students. Click to:
Apply to Alta Via
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Who should apply?
Students who have a desire to grow in their Catholic Faith and relationship with Jesus Christ and others. The goal of the Alta Via program is to form strong Catholics who explore the depths of the faith in a communal setting. The program is catechetical in nature, which means its goal is to teach the Catholic Faith and encourage life-long discipleship in following Jesus Christ. If this vision appeals to you, we encourage you to apply.
Scholarships:
Ten (10) Alta Via participants will receive scholarships which are renewed annually as long as the student remains in good standing.
Awardees will receive $2,000 the first year, $2,500 sophomore year, $3,000 junior year and $3,500 in their senior year. This amount is in addition to other Saint Francis University institutional scholarships.
Program Spiritual Director
Fr. Stephen Waruszewski, T.O.R.
Director of Campus Ministry
Program Associate Director
Dr. Daniel Waldow
Assistant Professor of Theology
Alta Via Instructor
Dr. Gregory Stacey
Assistant Professor of Franciscan Theology