diff --git a/config/application.rb b/config/application.rb
index 72968fc..ecad47e 100644
--- a/config/application.rb
+++ b/config/application.rb
@@ -15,6 +15,10 @@
   # Bundler.require(:default, :assets, Rails.env)
 end
 
+  ENV["RACK_ENV"] = Rails.env  # had to explicity state the test environment (or cucumber env.)
+  require 'mongoid'
+  Mongoid.load!(File.expand_path(File.dirname(__FILE__) + '/mongoid.yml'))
+
 module ResourceLibraryTest
   class Application < Rails::Application
     # Settings in config/environments/* take precedence over those specified here.
diff --git a/config/mongoid.yml b/config/mongoid.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..66eb23f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/config/mongoid.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+development:
+  host: localhost
+  database: resource_library_test_development
+
+test:
+  host: localhost
+  database: resource_library_test_test
+
+production:
+  uri: <%= ENV['MONGOHQ_URL'] %>