In 1999, Dr. Gladys Sweeney, Bishop Paul S. Loverde, Dr. Bill Nordling, and others shared an improbable dream — to create a Catholic graduate school of psychology in the Arlington diocese.
As the founding dean, board member, and faculty member, respectively, all three wanted to see the benefits of modern psychology combined with the spiritual gifts and insights of Catholicism.
Twenty-five years later, that dream has become a reality. It began as a single master’s program in clinical psychology, offered by the Institute for the Psychological Sciences, as it was then known. The school has since expanded to become Divine Mercy University in Sterling, which today offers two doctorates, two master’s degrees, and a certificate in spiritual direction, all rooted in a Catholic view of the human person.
DMU’s integrated approach blending the science of psychology, the wisdom of western philosophy, and the depth of Catholic theology has produced a richer, more effective view of the human person that has helped hospitals, clinics, universities, and dioceses across the country to reach deeper into their patients’ lives to bring about the healing of mind, soul, and body.
Students, colleagues, family, and friends gathered May 8 to commemorate DMU’s 25th anniversary with Mass at the university’s St. Dymphna Chapel, followed by a dinner to celebrate the contributions that Bishop Emeritus Loverde, Sweeney, and Nordling have made to both DMU and to Catholic psychotherapy as a whole. All three were awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards.
In addition, DMU launched the Bishop Paul S. Loverde Scholarship Fund. This scholarship will benefit two different groups: priests and religious from less wealthy dioceses and religious orders who want to study at DMU; and students, both laity and clergy, who pledge to work with clients within the Arlington diocese.
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge said in a special message for the occasion that he is proud that the Arlington diocese is home to the university.
“Your work is critically important as the church strives to meet the rising challenges of assisting those with mental and emotional health issues,” he said. “May the Lord Jesus, in his Divine Mercy, continue to fill you with zeal and passion for this work to enrich the lives of those who benefit from your studies and services.”
To kick off the scholarship fund, Bishop Burbidge encouraged the diocese and diocesan Catholic Charities to make significant contributions. With these and other early gifts, the fund had more than $100,000 before its official launch.
DMU currently has approximately 600 students enrolled and 1,000 alumni, including three bishops; 89 priests; 39 men and women religious; 24 deacons; and 40 alumni who live and work in the diocese. Alumni serve in nine seminaries around the world, including St. Charles Borromeo Seminary (Bishop Keith Chylinski) and Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, as well as 14 who work directly for a Catholic Charities or diocesan entity. Outside the U.S., 42 alumni live and work in 23 countries.
Find out more
To learn more or make a contribution to the Bishop Paul S. Loverde Scholarship Fund, go to divinemercy.edu/bishop-loverde-fund.
