Instaurare | Spring 2015

Instaurare The Christendom College Quarterly Magazine

Spring 2015

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LIFE-CHANGING SEMESTER Junior Bradley Torline’s Amazing Experience in Rome

In the Footsteps of Christ: Spring Break Mission Trips | Strengthening Catholic Identity in America Vatican Calls on Christendom Graduate Students | Preparing Students for Greatness SPRING 2015

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Become a leader in the new evangelization.

Summer College Program in Ireland

3 weeks | 6 credits

christendom.edu/ireland

Donegal, Ireland

Inside This Issue

VOLUME 23 | NUMBER 1 | SPRING 2015

14 Life-Changing Semester Junior Bradley Torline recounts a crowning moment to an amazing semester in Rome.

22 In the Footsteps of Christ Since 1999, the College’s mission trip program has been giving students the opportunity to participate with greater

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depth and scope in the charitable life of the Church and broaden their worldview.

3 Strengthening Catholic Identity Across America 4 New Graduate Program in Spirituality 6 Preparing Students for Greatness

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8 A Lasting Legacy with Christendom 9 Liberal Arts in Action 10 Faculty Notes 11 New Advancement Officer / Scholar-Athlete Profile 12 From the Chronicler: Campus Life Photos

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18 Vatican Calls on Christendom Graduate Students 20 Crusader Basketball Finishes Strong

Instaurare Published quarterly by the Christendom College Marketing Office.

Executive Editor: Tom McFadden Managing Editor & Design: Niall O’Donnell Proofreader: Rebecca Willen Photos: Gabi Muskett, Niall O’Donnell, Abigail Reimel Contributors: Kris Burns, Vince Criste, Glen McLeod, Zach Smith Christendom College 134 Christendom Drive, Front Royal, VA 22630 800.877.5456 | christendom.edu Copyright © 2015. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided the following credit line is used: “Reprinted by permission from INSTAURARE, the quarterly magazine of Christendom College (christendom.edu).”

SUBSCRIPTION FREE UPON REQUEST. Instaurare magazine (pronounced “in-sta-rar-ay”) receives its name from the Latin in the college’s motto, “Instaurare Omnia In Christo” or “To Restore All Things in Christ.”

Christendom College does not discriminate against any applicant or student on the basis of race, sex, color, or national origin.

25 Classmates: Alumni News 26 News in Brief 28 Omnia in Christo

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To Do Great Things A NOTE FROM PRESIDENT DR. TIMOTHY O’DONNELL

My Dear Friends,

We have so many great heroes from our past who can inspire us to be heroic and to dare to be great!

The education that we provide at Christendom College is so vitally important for the future.

plan. He is beckoning to each and every one of us right now.

As Catholics, we are called in a special way to love the true, the good, and the beautiful as well as their ultimate source, God Himself— who is love! Love can make a burden a joy. Yet everywhere we look around us, we see love destroyed, broken, and betrayed. We see this wounding from the destruction of love in nations, in families, and in our relationships.

A great friend of our college, the venerable Fr. John Hardon, S.J., said, “Ordinary Catholics will not survive this age. Only heroic Catholics will survive!” These are truly prophetic words, which we take to heart as we form heroic Catholics here. Inspired by the many great heroes from our past, our students are ready to be heroic and to dare to be great!

As Pope Emeritus Benedict observed in a haunting phrase, “the internal deserts have become so vast.” Because of these deserts, the need for healing is so great and the task is so daunting.

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has exhorted young people everywhere “to have a great heart, a greatness of mind; to have great ideals and to wish to do great things, to respond to what God asks of us. Also, for this very reason, to do well the routine things of every day and all the daily actions, tasks, [and] meetings with people… do the little everyday things with a great heart open to God and to others!”

Our Lord is depending on each of us. What are we to do?

In the field of Catholic higher education, first, we need to contribute to the reconnecting of faith with culture, which we strive to do here on campus in the way that we live.

Secondly, we need to re-strengthen once again doctrinal consciousness, educating students in the truths of our Catholic faith.

Thirdly, we need to contribute to a renaissance of Christian philosophy, especially metaphysics, which has almost been abandoned today.

What a vitally important and joyful task has been set before us! While all of us have followed different paths, we have all been brought together as part of God’s providential

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Our Holy Father’s exhortation is not only for students, but also for all of us. It is an echo of our Lord’s summoning us to His open side—to follow Him on the path to greatness, which ultimately will lead us to heavenly glory!

May God bless each and every one of you for your support and fidelity! You are integral to making Christendom College a source of hope for the future.

Sincerely in the Heart of Christ,

Strengthening Catholic Identity across America

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hristendom College welcomed 21 presidents from Catholic colleges and universities across America to its Front Royal, Va., campus for the Ex Corde Ecclesiae Presidents’ Roundtable. The Roundtable, held February 27-28, was spiritually led by His Eminence Sean Patrick Cardinal O’Malley, and examined the challenges and opportunities facing Catholic institutions of higher education. The presidents enjoyed the opportunity to reflect and assist one another in strengthening the Catholic identity of their respective institutions.

During their private meetings, the presidents conversed and showed mutual support for each other concerning the challenges and problems relating to the leadership of their institutions. These discussions focused on topics ranging from student life, to the role of faculty at institutions, to the Church’s mission to evangelize.

“Each discussion was in service to the individual mission and unique charism of each institution,” Dr. Timothy O’Donnell said. “There was an atmosphere of prayer and spiritual reflection to the roundtable, giving us the opportunity for spiritual renewal in addition to the practical advice we shared with one another.”

As a special guest, Cardinal O’Malley personally opened the Roundtable’s spiritual reflections, giving a talk on strengthening Catholic identity to the presidents and the importance of their roles as spiritual leaders at their respective institutions of higher learning. His Eminence also celebrated Mass for the group.

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Presidents’ Roundtable The Ex Corde Ecclesiae Presidents’ Roundtable, which was initiated by Christendom College president Dr. Timothy O’Donnell, is a private gathering of presidents of Catholic universities, colleges, and institutes, who have embraced the vision of Catholic higher education as presented in the Apostolic Constitution Ex Corde Ecclesiae of Pope Saint John Paul II and developed by Pope Benedict XVI, particularly in his historic address at the Catholic University of America on April 17, 2008. The Roundtable normally meets every two years, promoting fellowship and cooperation among presidents to strengthen the Catholic identity of their schools as articulated by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church.

Above: University presidents sign a pledge to uphold Ex Corde Ecclesiae and Pope Francis’ vision for Catholic higher eduction.

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Graduate School Offers

New Spirituality Program C

hristendom’s Graduate School created a new concentration in spirituality for students wishing to study spiritual theology in order to foster their own spiritual development or to learn how to act as spiritual guides or mentors to others. Spirituality courses are offered during the summer, at the Front Royal campus, as part of the Vita Consecrata Institute and are open to lay students as well as religious. Students may now earn the MA degree with a concentration in spirituality or a certificate in spirituality, or they may take the courses as casual students, either for credit or for audit.

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Spiritual direction is a ministry that is growing in the Church with the emphasis on the New Evangelization and the universal call to holiness promoted by the Second Vatican Council. Many Christians are committed to living a Catholic life in a de-Christianized society, and to do this they need guidance and spiritual direction.

Ecstasy of Saint Teresa by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

While spiritual direction is the proper role of the priest, the scarcity of priests and the growing desire for spiritual direction requires that others, both religious and lay, assist the priest in this important ministry as spiritual mentors.

This responsibility of guiding souls requires certain personal qualities and proper formation. According to the spiritual masters, the three qualities that should be found in a spiritual director or mentor are holiness of life, knowledge of the spiritual life, and prudence. The goal in offering the new program is to provide the academic and spiritual formation needed for this ministry of guiding souls.

In contrast to other programs which might stress a psychological or introspective approach to the spiritual life, the curriculum at Christendom focuses on understanding the workings of the Holy Spirit in the spiritual life by concentrating on the four essential means to holiness, namely prayer, the sacraments, asceticism, and the pursuit of virtue.

The foundation of the program is the solid theological and philosophical basis provided by the core requirements of the MA program, including courses in Scripture, dogmatic theology, moral theology, and philosophy, especially the philosophy of the human person.

While these foundational courses may be taken year-round, either on campus or online, the spirituality courses are only available as part of the summer Vita Consecrata Institute, since the spiritual and personal formation offered by the VCI is an essential element of the spirituality program.

“Spiritual theology... is the highest of [theology’s] applications or its branches, for its end is to lead souls to intimate union with God. By it, theology returns to its point of departure, to its eminent source, to divine revelation contained in Scripture and tradition. Spiritual theology, as a matter of fact, studies what should be the infused contemplation of revealed mysteries and the divine union resulting from this contemplation. In a word, it shows what the normal prelude of eternal life should be.”

- Réginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P.

The 2015 V ITA C ONSECRATA I NSTITUTE takes place June 29 through July 24 at Christendom College’s Front Royal campus. Participants are welcome for the whole four weeks or for either two-week session. For information about the new spirituality concentration or the VCI, please visit christendom.edu/graduate or call 703.658.4304.

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By Darren Johnson ’15

CAREER & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR GREATNESS

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hristendom students are now being given many more opportunities to explore different career paths, in addition to the help they need to narrow down their post-graduation choices and the inspiration to seek excellence and achieve greatness. This year, alumnus Greg Monroe ’08, the new director of career and leadership development, has established a number of new initiatives that are already bearing much fruit.

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ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL INTEGRATION Monroe has overhauled the college’s Education for Life Plan – Christendom’s academic and professional integration program which aims to enhance the student learning environment by integrating students’ career discernment into their liberal arts education through a series of career development courses. These courses are now seen as a value to the student, imparting a better understanding of how what they are learning in class is beneficial to their postgraduation success.

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LIFE ON TAP The re-institution of a popular networking event, Life on Tap, where alumni from varied fields return to campus to give students their insights into working in their respective fields, has given students the opportunity to network with them, gain useful information, and hopefully, become inspired to want to achieve similar success.

Monroe believes that the alumni instill confidence that the students can succeed, and give practical tips on what to do right now to prepare for specific career fields.

“We know that each student was created

by God for a purpose, and is given a specific calling – a vocation. We want to inspire our students to embrace and fulfill that vocation, aspire to greatness in that calling, and do great things in life while fulfilling the college’s mission of restoring all things in Christ,” says Monroe. “Bringing the alumni back helps our students to ‘dream big,’ and know that they can do anything with their degree from Christendom.”

Director of Career and Leadership Development Greg Monroe chats with a student in his office.

Alumni from such diverse fields as journalism, business management, finance, politics, medicine, law, and web development have given talks so far this year.

While it takes time and effort for many of the alumni to make their way back to Christendom, Monroe has never been turned down for a Life on Tap event.

“They are always willing to help the students out, and the students are extremely receptive to their mentorship,” says Monroe.

Sean Kay ’97, a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Michele Velasco ’91, the vice president of finance at Sirius XM Radio, field questions from students.

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CNN Money article, posted on March 10, 2015, extolled the benefits of a liberal arts degree – going so far as to state that it is, in fact, the most sought after degree by employers. The article, which is based on data from the National Center for Education Statistics and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ranks a liberal arts education as the most valuable major today. The writer explains that the studies show that employers “are seeking the soft

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NEW INTERNSHIPS Monroe has been working with local companies to establish new internships for the students throughout the academic year, as well as over the summer. So far, he has established over 15 new opportunities, and the students are responding positively to this initiative.

skills – including critical thinking and an excellent ability to communicate in writing – [the skills] that go hand in hand with studying the arts.” This exciting study confirms what Christendom has known for a long time with alumni immersed in nearly every field possible—some armed with solely their degree from Christendom—while about 18% have gone on to graduate programs to enhance their resumes.

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FREE G.R.E. The college is encouraging more of its students to pursue graduate school so that they can rise even higher in their professional pursuits. To this end, Monroe has offered students the opportunity to register for a graduate school test preparation program for free, and, if they choose to take a graduate school placement test, the college will reimburse them. Although this program is only in its first year, more than 40 seniors have taken advantage of this generous offering.

Going along with this initiative, Monroe has also mapped out plans for how students can be best prepared to enter the fields of engineering, nursing, business, architecture, biology, criminal justice, economics, education, internet technology, medicine, and law.

Beyond these main initiatives, Monroe is committed to personally assisting each student in creating a postgraduation success plan, with internships catered to the students’ goals, and practical skill training such as leadership training, résumé and cover letter writing, and interviewing techniques. Moreover, he is working with Vice President for Enrollment Tom McFadden on implementing a new business management certificate program – the Path to Greatness Program – which will introduce Christendom students to the key concepts of business leadership and help them acquire the required confidence, skills, and knowledge to be

successful managers, executives, directors, and leaders in their post-graduation pursuits.

Ultimately, Monroe believes that with the liberal arts foundation of the curriculum, and the practical experience and contacts gained through his department, Christendom students will graduate with the tools to succeed – not only in the world’s eyes as successful businessmen and community leaders, but as lights for Christ. Built on a solid foundation of Truth, they dare to be great at whatever God is calling them to be.

L-R: Students enjoy a Life on Tap event; alumnus Tim Halisky ’01, president of RLA Mid-Atlantic, gives tips on the field of business; Brandon Vaughan ‘05, the cofounder of Nvite.com, and Bryan Hadro ’04, senior web developer at US News & World Report, discuss success in the web/IT industry with senior Jeremy Minick.

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A Lasting Legacy with Christendom

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hen you hear the word legacy, what images come to your mind?

Perhaps you think of family, fond memories held by friends left behind, or the impact that you have made in the lives of others.

Many Christendom donors look to extend their legacy in another way, by making an estate gift to Christendom College. Daniel Gorman, a faithful benefactor for many years and member of the Board of Directors since 2009, is one such donor.

Before finding Christendom College, Gorman was very depressed by the state of Catholic education and its decreasing emphasis on the Catholic Faith. After attending Christendom’s study abroad program in Ireland and then visiting the campus, Gorman saw that Christendom was truly faithful to the Magisterium and was transforming the lives of its students.

“Every time I was with the students, I was impressed by their level of education, and their speaking and writing abilities,” he said.

Seeing the character of the student body and the wonderful relationships between the faculty and the students, Gorman and his wife, Joan, knew that they had “come home.” They became leaders in the Christendom family, both

philanthropically and—in Daniel’s case—as a member of the Board of Directors.

What inspired Gorman to include the college in his will?

Christendom students! Recognizing the students’ deep faith and excellent education, Gorman found it reassuring that Christendom students would be evangelizing the world even after he was gone.

By making an estate gift to Christendom College, friends of the college will continue, even after death, to support the academic and spiritual programs that make Christendom students and alumni such a powerful force for change in the world. A gift from a will is an ideal way to fight for Catholic truth and speak out about the values that are so close to the Heart of the Lord for years to come.

As college founder, Dr. Warren H. Carroll said: “One man can make a difference.” By joining legacies with Christendom, supporters can continue to make that difference well into the future.

For more information on leaving an estate gift to Christendom, please contact Glen McLeod at the Christendom College Office of Advancement. You can reach Glen by email at glen.mcleod@christendom.edu or by phone at 800.877.5456 ext. 1602.

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Ben McMahon ’04 Major: Philosophy Founder and CEO: BSM Properties, LLC

Christendom alumni are involved in just about every field possible and are making an impact on the culture. Excelling as entrepreneurs in various fields, our alumni are using their liberal arts educations to shine as beacons of integrity and hope.

Tyler Ament ’10 Major: English Language and Literature Founder and CEO: Immaculata Studios

“One of the biggest things I learned at Christendom—especially through philosophy—is that you need think about universals. Instead of becoming burdened by individual problems, I’ve been able to achieve better results by approaching problems with a broader perspective and larger goals in mind. The world of business today is built around the speed and usability of ever advancing technology.

However, the true technological genius realizes that it is not the technology itself, but the connection it attempts to build with its users that is so crucial. The ‘true connection’ can be lost in a world of clearer pictures, and more ‘likes.’

When we experience a ‘real connection’ in business or our personal lives, we are living out God’s plan for us and the picture becomes clearer than a trillion megapixels. I see true entrepreneurialism as having the freedom to live out the life that God has chosen for me. It’s a movement towards the truth and goodness that is innate in every human being.”

“Working in a digital communications and technology environment has shown the value of starting with a liberal arts education. Technology changes constantly so being able to adapt quickly and articulate complicated problems and systems in a simple fashion is key to success. Christendom’s liberal arts program lays the groundwork by giving you a strong desire to always be learning, and by preparing the mind to communicate succinctly.”

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Faculty Notes

Our professors are primarily student-oriented educators and mentors. At the same time, they are experts in their fields of study and are engaged in a variety of other scholarly pursuits as they seek to “restore all things in Christ” beyond our campuses.

Prof. Joseph Arias, Lecturer in Graduate Theology, presented a paper titled “Patriarchal and Israelite Polygamy: Why Take Seriously The View of Saint Thomas?” at a Colloquium at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, Berkeley, Ca. Also at the 37th Convention of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars in Pittsburgh, Penn., he presented a paper titled “‘Validity’ and ‘Liceity’ in Conjugal Acts: A Reply to Stephen Napier on the HIV-Condom Debate.”

Dr. Andrew Beer, Assistant Professor of Classical and Early Christian Studies, presented a paper titled “Socrates and Gorgias on Rhetoric” at the 94th Anniversary Meeting of the Classical Association of the Midwest and South: Southern Section, in Fredericksburg, Va. Dr. Douglas Flippen, Professor of Philosophy, wrote a paper “The Non-Abstractive and NonConceptual Character of Poetic Intuition in Maritain” which has been accepted for publication in a collection of papers on Maritain.

Dr. Michael Kelly, Assistant Professor of History will be featured in the journal Moreana with a paper titled “Mankind, Matter, and More: Sacred Materiality in the Tower Works of Thomas More.” Kelly also participated in The Unintended Reformation Faculty Seminar at Mt. St. Mary’s University.

Dr. William Luckey, Professor of Political Science and Economics, published an article in Homiletic and Pastoral Review titled “Private Revelation and the Revelations of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary.”

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Dr. Robert Matava, Assistant Professor of Graduate Theology, chaired a session of the Society for Medieval and Renaissance Thomism at the annual American Catholic Philosophical Association conference.

Dr. Kurt Poterack, Adjunct Professor of Music, gave an address on “How to Listen to Music” and a presentation on the first movement of Mozart’s 40th Symphony to the students of Thomas More College.

Dr. Ben Reinhard, Assistant Professor of English Language and Literature, published “A Marvelous Tale” (a review of Tolkien’s “Beowulf ”) in the University Bookman. He also delivered a lecture titled “Sing to the Lord a New Song: an Advent Journey through the Psalms” at the Institute of Catholic Culture.

Dr. Adam Schwartz, Professor of History, was featured in the Journal of British Studies with his article “Review of Jay Corrin, Progressive Catholics in England Since Vatican II.” Prof. Mary Stanford, Adjunct Instructor of Theology, gave a talk on “The Four Last Things” to Marymount University’s Catholic Campus Ministry and spoke about the theology of the body and social communication technology on The Patrick McCormack Show on Relevant Radio. She also gave a lecture titled “Disembodied Communication: What are We Risking?” at St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, River Forest, Ill., and at an online conference for mothers. In Winchester, Va., Stanford gave a talk titled “John Paul II and the Foundations of Marital Intimacy” at Sacred Heart Parish.

A CHANCE TO CHANGE THE WORLD New Advancement Officer Sees Christendom as His Mission Field

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ore than 20 years ago, a young man, David Costanzo, carefully watched his father begin to build a million dollar family business in technology component sales and then further develop commercial real estate holdings. What caught this young man’s attention most was not only his father’s drive in business, but, in particular, his constant desire to help further the urgent work of evangelization in the Catholic Church. Like his father, he holds a deep love for his Catholic faith, and has spent many years laboring in both paid and volunteer positions advancing ministries and apostolic works of the Catholic Church, especially for youth and men’s ministries.

Costanzo, who most recently completed six years of service at The Cardinal Newman Society, felt it was a natural progression to go on to serve the mission of Christendom College. He understands that faithful Catholic education is a key ingredient of the new evangelization. He is excited to partner with the benefactors of Christendom College and looks forward to laboring beside them.

“I am inspired by those who have built the foundation of Christendom and look forward to personally inviting our faithful Catholic supporters, past, present and future, to become more intimately involved in the necessary, successful, and expanding mission of Christendom College,” says Costanzo.

Costanzo resides with his wife, Dawn, and twin daughters in northern Virginia. Contact David Costanzo by email at david.costanzo@christendom.edu or by mobile phone at 703.869.1169.

SCHOLAR-ATHLETE PROFILE Mary Barbale ’15 Basketball & Volleyball

Mary Barbale was the first recipient of the Thomas S. Vander Woude Scholar-Athlete Scholarship. In basketball, Barbale scored over 1,000 points in her career. In single games, she frequently reached double digits in points, rebounds, and assists.

A leader on and off the court, Barbale has served as a Resident Assistant and been named “Player of the Week” on multiple occasions by the United States Collegiate Athletics Association.

“I am truly blessed to have been able to attend Christendom and take part in all that it has to offer. The education and people here are phenomenal. Playing and leading as a team captain on the volleyball and basketball teams truly added to my Christendom experience.

I was able to experience an ordinary college life, while at the same time growing immensely in my spiritual life. Every aspect of my day, whether spent on academics, friends, or sports, is surrounded by the love and spiritual support of our priests, professors, and peers.”

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The Chronicler {christendom.edu/chronicler}

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At the March for Life, students showed the joy and hope in the pro-life movement with singing and juggling.

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Masks and fun at Mardi Gras celebration.

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Students perform at annual Cup o’ Coeli—an evening of acoustic music performances in Regina Coeli Hall.

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Singing and fun at the Welcome Back Dance.

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Swing Dance Competition winners: Mike Mazarra ’18 and Peggy Daly ’18.

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Five recent alumni return for Discernment Weekend to talk about life as a seminarian.

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The Honorable Eugene Delgaudio (Loudon, Va.) tells students of the challenges of running a political campaign.

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The rugby team prepares for a successful season with a snowy practice.

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Kieran O’Donnell ’18 and Maddie August ’18 dance during the Waltz Competition.

10. St. Patrick’s Day: College President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell with his son, Declan, lead everyone in song during the annual festivities.

11. St. Patrick’s Day: Anne Nelson performs the traditional Scottish Sword Dance.

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12. St. Patrick’s Day: History professor Dr. Brendan McGuire and Austin Leavitt ’15 perform on the bagpipes.

13. Daniel Snyman ’18 and Gabi Muskett ’15 have fun with Gladiator Jousting.

14. Peter Tapsak ’16 presents his argument during a meeting of the Chester-Belloc Debate Society.

15. St. Joseph’s Day: Students process to the St. Lawrence Commons before celebrating with a festive Italian meal.

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16. St. Joseph’s Day: Student enjoy a delicious spread of antipasto in celebration of the feast.

Christendom College’s The Chronicler is an online publication appearing weekly on Fridays throughout the academic year. Written and photographed by students,The Chronicler provides a glimpse into life as a student at Christendom. Find out more and sign up to get notified when a new issue appears at christendom.edu/chronicler.

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CROWNING MOMENT OF A LIFE-CHANGING SEMESTER

F BY

BRADLEY TORLINE ’16

or as long as I live, I will always be able to say I

swapped zucchettos with Pope Francis — something that would never have happened if I hadn’t gone to Christendom College.

It was my last Wednesday in Rome, my last papal audience, and I found myself jogging with my umbrella through the cobblestone streets of Rome in the predawn hours, past the cafés, which hadn’t opened yet, and then along the walls of Vatican City until I finally reached St. Peter’s Square. I was relieved to find a group of Christendom students already there who were able to hold a place at the front of the line. A few hours later, followed by a mad rush through some metal detectors, I found myself in the front row of the Wednesday papal audience, nestled between my Christendom comrades and a Philippino-Italian woman named Eugene, who spoke great English.

I’ll never forget the moment I saw the man in white coming around the corner in the “pope-mobile.” The crowds went wild, as the Supreme Pontiff began smiling and waving, making eye contact with

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every person in the front row. “Papa! Una Zucchetto per Lei!” I shouted, in uncertain Italian. He made eye contact with me and smiled, but the pope-mobile passed me by. I wasn’t worried, though — this wasn’t my first papal audience. I knew he would drive by at least one more time. It was harder to stay optimistic the second time I was passed up, however.

A Swiss guard who was helping me out (and who I actually ran into at a pub later that very same night) reassured me, so I prayed, enjoyed the audience, and stood, ready to give it one last shot, as the Vicar of Christ descended from the steps and mounted the pope-mobile for a last run around the block.

Suddenly, he ordered the car to stop and reached for the zucchetto in my hand. I lost all dignity and became a six-year old boy. Tears in my eyes, jumping up and down frantically, I shouted, “Grazie Papa, grazie, grazie mille!” over and over — in English, “Thank you, Papa, thank you, thanks a million.”

The Vicar of Christ laughed at me as he placed the zucchetto I had bought on his head. Clutching the one he had given me, I regained my composure, and was able to say one more thing, “Papa, prega per la mia mama, per favore” – “Holy Father, please pray for my mom.” He nodded solemnly at me, and drove away.

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Whether it was struggling with a foreign language, or mastering the hectic Roman transportation system, we were forced to grow as individuals, and in doing so gained unspeakable confidence in ourselves, as we accomplished things we never thought we could.

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My new friend standing next to me, Eugene, sobbed, shouting, “You are so lucky!” and grabbed the zucchetto from me. She put it on her own head, tears rolling down her cheeks. It was one of the best moments of my life, and the crowning moment of a life-changing semester.

I would be lying if I told you that Christendom’s Rome program wasn’t one of the top motivating factors that compelled me to attend the college. Besides the solid liberal arts education, it was most certainly the top reason. I was practically in tears when, as a visiting high school senior, Tom McFadden, who was then the Director of Admissions, showed me a slide show explaining the program. Some three years later, having completed the program, I can now say it was better than I ever imagined it would be.

Students study on balcony outside Rome campus classrooms.

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Highlight from Our Academic Blog

From the first week of the program, in which we wandered the picturesque medieval streets of the spiritual oasis that is Assisi, to the last day in Rome when I climbed the Dome of St. Peter’s, gazed across Rome to the horizon and felt the majesty and power of the Church as never before – those were the best three months of my life.

The pasta, the ambiance of the Roman streets at night, the architecture, the relics, the history, the art, the gelato, the wine — words simply can’t describe it. Lasting friendships were forged in my class, as we studied together in the classroom, prayed together at the holy sites, drank wine together in the piazzas. Whether it was struggling with a foreign language, or mastering the hectic Roman transportation system, we were forced to grow as individuals, and in doing so gained unspeakable confidence in ourselves, as we accomplished things we never thought we could.

Most important of all, however, was the spiritual effect of the experience. How does one describe what it is like to stand in the Coliseum and meditate on the experience of the early martyrs, or how it feels to attend Mass at the tomb of Pope St. John Paul II? How can I tell you what it was like when all of the Christendom students’ knees hit the ground as we prayed together, gazing at the bones of the Fishermen, the relics of St. Peter under the famous altar that bears his name?

It’s impossible.

The only fitting response is gratitude, and I think I speak for all of us who have participated in this program throughout the years in saying that, until the day I die, I will be thankful to Christendom College, and to all those who made this experience possible.

With Rachel Hoover ’17

“I think the most amazing gift Christendom gives its students is the ability to take what we hear in class and go even further with it. We learn how to think on our own, and to think really deeply about the most difficult, profound, and awe-inspiring questions humanity comes up with. The professors are always ready to answer questions and address confusion, but it’s awesome to have the kind of community that allows for these deep discussions and doesn’t call them silly or impractical. Seriously, where else could you stay up half the night talking about prime matter with your roommate, and actually get somewhere with it?”

READ MORE AT CHRISTENDOM.EDU/BLOG.

Christendom College alumnus Daniel Corey ’03 (left) was recognized by the prestigious Helen Hayes awards, with a nomination for his outstanding supporting role in the play, “One Man, Two Guvnors.” Corey, who earned his history degree from Christendom, was an acclaimed actor in many of the college’s theatrical productions during his four years on campus, before moving on to professional acting following graduation.

“Building a character is like building a paper. That ability you learn from a liberal arts education to focus on the minutiae, to analyze the finer details, is key to acting, and helps you make those bold choices,” Corey says. “A liberal arts education is one of the best places to start a theater career. You can be bold, and you can succeed.”

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VATICAN CALLS ON CHRISTENDOM GRADUATE STUDENTS TO HELP WITH RENEWAL OF RELIGIOUS ORDER

F

or the past several years, a number of Christendom’s graduate students have been working with officials in the Vatican to organize the consecrated women of Regnum Christi as a more autonomous, self-governing entity within the Church.

The four consecrated women studying at Christendom originally come from Mexico and the United States and have been consecrated members of Regnum Christi (RC) for a combined total of 60 years. They are primarily involved in youth ministry, education, and leadership roles within RC and have served in Mexico, Italy, Chile, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the US. Betty Rivera is the director of Everest Academy Catholic School in Manila, Angie Hilbun and Andrea Paez both work in campus ministry and youth formation at schools in Texas and Ireland, respectively, and Monica Trevino has served as Territorial Director of the L-R: Betty Rivera, Angie Hilbun, and Monica Trevino

consecrated women in the United States for several years.

All four women are enrolled in the MA program and all are concentrating their studies in the theology of the consecrated life.

Since 2010, the consecrated women of RC have been involved in a process of renewal under the guidance of Pontifical Delegate Cardinal Velasio de Paolis. The consecrated women studying at Christendom have been intimately involved in this process, which includes development of a constitution and set of statutes expressing their rule of life. All four have participated in regional assemblies over the past few years, helping to define the charism of the consecrated women of RC and to draft a constitution and rule of life for the apostolic movement.

Rivera and Trevino participated in the first-ever General Assembly of the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi last December in Rome, which they described as “a milestone in the renewal process.” A total of 42 consecrated women from all over the world met with the Pontifical Delegate to review and approve the draft of the new statutes for the consecrated women, and to elect a new general government. After a month of prayer, meetings, dialogue, listening and work, the final text of the statutes was presented to the Pontifical Delegate and approved by him.

The theological education that the consecrated women of RC are receiving from Christendom, especially in the theology of the consecrated life, has proved invaluable to this renewal

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process. They are able to apply their knowledge of the Church’s teachings on consecrated life to the deliberations and decisions affecting the future of their organization. With courses on the history of consecrated life, religious vows, canon law, and Vatican II’s teachings on consecrated life, they can safely know that their suggestions are in conformity with the mind of the Church.

Senior Philanthropy Board Aims for Success

“My studies at Christendom, which are concentrated in the theology of consecrated life, have helped me in my personal renewal and in the process of renewal of Regnum Christi,” says Trevino.

The RC students are quick to express their appreciation for their Christendom studies.

“I can honestly say that my classes at Christendom and the Vita Consecrata Institute are a gift for me and the Church,” says Hilburn, who has served as resident assistant to the religious and

at Christendom... are a “giftMyforclasses me and the Church. ”

consecrated women attending the VCI for several summers. “The lived ecclesial experience of numerous charisms coming together as a community every summer has been invaluable. I am grateful to God that He has given me this gift of formation.”

The Vita Consecrata Institute is a summer residential program which combines academic courses in spirituality and the theology of the consecrated life with a community life in a retreat-like setting that includes spiritual direction, daily Mass, and common prayer. Many of the students attending are preparing for formation ministries or leadership roles within their orders, and the availability of the faculty for consultation outside of class is a great advantage to them.

“Christendom’s Vita Consecrata Institute performs a valuable service to the Church in assisting these orders and institutes to renew their commitment to the consecrated life,” says Dr. Kristin Burns, dean of the graduate school. “We are honored to be able to assist the consecrated women of Regnum Christi and the other institutes in serving the Church more faithfully.”

REST IN

PEACE

On January 6, Ron Steckman, the former executive chef of Christendom College, passed away at the age of 70, after a long battle with kidney disease. Serving the college from July of 1999 to July of 2010, “Chef Ron” was beloved in the Christendom community for his humble spirit and exceptional service.

Senior Philanthropy Board L-R: Maggie Ostrowski, Pat McKenna, Bernadette Sartor, Josh Van Hecke, Midori Funai, Hal Kokes, Margaux Killackey, Philip Gilbert, Maria Bonvissuto, Mark Turner, and Jane Riccardi.

his year’s Senior Philanthropy Board is T comprised of eleven seniors who volunteer their time and energies to build a culture of alumni support. The Board educates its classmates about basic college operating expenses and the critical role that benefactors play in supporting their education through scholarships and infrastructure improvements.

After hosting two successful informational events in December and in February, the Philanthropy Board is building toward its final event at a local winery in the spring, where it plans to challenge all of the members of the senior class to give back to their alma mater as an act of gratitude for their education and to signify their love for the college.

Their ultimate goal is to meet or exceed the participation rates and giving levels of recent Senior Philanthropy Boards. The 2012-2013 Board achieved a remarkable 87% participation rate and the 20132014 Board exceeded that by obtaining a 100% participation rate. This year’s Board wants to get 100% participation and raise the most money to date.

On January 18, at the age of 79, ‘Madame’ Maria Barone, died. A professor of modern languages at the college from 1981 to 2005, Barone was beloved for her generous heart, gentle humor, and the strong devotion she had for her students and the entirety of the Christendom community.

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“Christendom basketball put forth tremendous determination and perseverance.”

Senior Jeremy Minick soars above the competition.

CRUSADER BASKETBALL FINISHES STRONG W

ith another season of Christendom basketball now complete, both the men’s and women’s teams finished their seasons with a strong second half. The hard work and dedication shown by both teams throughout the year bodes well for the future of the sport at Christendom.

“This season was characterized by something truly special: team. If you found yourself sitting in the stands, or looking through the windows of the gym during practice, selfish laziness and individualism wouldn’t be something you’d have noticed. What you would notice is that Christendom basketball put forth tremendous determination and perseverance this year,” says senior Jeremy Minick.

A 2012 recipient of the Thomas S. Vander Woude athletic scholarship, Minick is a Crusader veteran, finishing this season as one of the top scorers on the team. “These young men and women—these individuals—are not unified by

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scholarship; instead, these men and women work together as a team because of their love of sports and their desire to give glory to God through basketball.”

On the women’s side of the court, the Lady Crusaders completed the season 7-6, finishing 4-2 in the second half.

The addition of freshmen twins Dylan and Bryn Burgess provided a versatile scoring threat throughout the year, bringing a consistent mid-range game along with crafty moves under the basket. Bryn Burgess, in particular, was the second leading scorer in the nation in December according to the USCAA, with an average of 22.7 points per game.

CRUSADER UPDATES

L: Sophomore Mike McMahon believes he can fly. R: Freshman powerhouse Bryn Burgess scores for the Lady Crusaders.

Christendom College’s athletic program expanded this spring by reintroducing women’s softball. Coached by philosophy professor Mike Brown, the team will play ten games, giving students even more opportunities to compete at the collegiate level.

Senior Liz Slaten battles to the hoop.

Sophomore Elizabeth Ford extended the floor with deadly 3-point range, while junior Bridget McMahon excelled in her consistency to grab rebounds and add needed points. Senior team captains Mary Barbale and Elizabeth Slaten showed leadership and steadiness in tight games and big moments, with Barbale completing her Crusader run as the best female athlete to ever play on the court at Christendom.

The men’s team finished 4-4 in the spring, completing the season 5-10. The men’s team, like the women’s, featured an underclassmen heavy roster. With a guard oriented starting lineup, the team favored an up-tempo style. Sophomore Mike McMahon led the scoring charge with his relentless attacking mentality. Fellow sophomores Thomas Hepler and Stephen Foeckler stretched the floor with their outside range. Enormous energy was added from the bench by freshmen Nick Santschi, junior Joe McMahon, and senior Jeremy Minick. Senior Micah Davis continued to show the heart and hustle that has been a trademark of his four years at Christendom in his final season.

The individual talent, especially provided by underclassmen, and strong team play on both teams bodes well for the future of Crusader basketball as they look towards next season.

The athletic department is planning on introducing men’s and women’s intercollegiate cross country in the fall, which will allow even more students to participate in college athletics.

The weight and exercise rooms have been revamped and improved, with state-of-the-art equipment, enabling students to exercise and stay in shape.

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IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CHRIST spring break student missionaries

By Corinne Weaver ’17

S

ince 1999, Christendom College’s mission trip program has been changing lives across the globe, giving students the opportunity to participate with greater depth and scope in the charitable life of the Church, and broaden their worldview. Over the past sixteen years, the number of students who have gone on mission trips has been steadily increasing, culminating in last year’s record-setting 25% participation from the student body. This year, Christendom broke that record yet again, with over 120 participants – 30% of the student body – traveling to various international destinations to aid third world countries or homeless shelters over spring break.

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Left: Julie McMahon teaches a child about the Blessed Virgin Mary. Above: Christendom Chaplain Fr. Stephen McGraw assists local children in Costa Rica.

The interest students have in these mission trips is unprecedented by any other college mission trip program.

Even at larger schools, where the student body reaches over 2,000, the amount of students who sign up to help the less privileged on mission trips is miniscule compared to the number of students who not only signed up at Christendom, but also proactively raised enough money to fund their travel expenses as well.

the mission trips program Mike Brown and his brother, Fr. Joseph Mary Brown, took 35 students to build and install wells and sanitation systems with the Amigos for Christ in communities located in remote areas.

“Everyone who has gone before told me the trip exceeds their expectations, and they couldn’t have been more right,” said sophomore Thomas Hepler, who went to Nicaragua. “I grew closer in friendships with the people who travelled with me, and was inspired in my spiritual development because of the trip as well.”

Many of the student missionaries who spent their spring breaks volunteering at home and overseas this year were compelled to fundraise in their parishes and hometowns over Christmas break.

Participation in the mission trips does not end with the student body, however — the staff and faculty are active Senior Evan Casey, who travelled to the Dominican members as well. Professors Raymund O’Herron, Douglas Republic, raised his needed amount at his home parish.

Flippen, and Mike Brown led students on trips to the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua, respectively. College “The people in my parish were chaplain Fr. Stephen McGraw helped as incredibly generous,” said Casey. “I got well in Costa Rica, where he and alumnus There are many ways up after every Mass on Sundays to ask David Townsend ’13 led 20 students in to be rich and I want the for donations. People lined up to buy the missionaries of Creatio in students to understand that assisting my raffle tickets and help send me on a construction project in the southwest in their hearts. my last college mission trip.” region of the country.

“

Casey successfully raised $800 to cover his expenses on his trip to the Dominican Republic, where he and 22 others worked with the Arlington Catholic Diocese to repair a chapel in a mountain village and build a fence around it, as well as construct a concrete staircase for a family who lives on the side of a mountain in the vicinity of the village.

”

Traditionally, Christendom students travel to impoverished regions in Central America, South America, and the Bronx in New York City for their mission trips, working with religious orders and charitable organizations to help the poor. In Nicaragua, for example, philosophy professor and director of

Above: Making lunches for the homeless in the Bronx. Right: Students dig a trench for an irrigation system in Nicaragua that will bring fresh water to a small village.

Elsewhere, a group of 12 girls travelled to Peru to work with the Missionary Servants of the Poor of the Third World in Cuzco. They assisted in serving and teaching poor children who suffer from mental and physical disabilities during their trip. In Guatemala, 14 students worked with the Franciscan Mission Service and recent alumna Maeve Gallagher ’14 at an orphanage run near Guatemala City.

Mission trips also happened closer to home, as 13 students aided the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in their work with the homeless, helping run a homeless shelter in the Bronx.

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Above: Scenes from the 2015 mission trips to Guatemala, Nicaragua, and the Bronx. Students also served in Peru, the Dominican Republic, and Stamford, Conn. Photos by Liz Slaten ’15, Max Van Hecke ’17, Josh Van Hecke ’15, and Dominic Winter ’18.

Due to the record-breaking interest in this spring’s mission trips, Christendom will offer a summer mission program to students and alumni for the first time this year, under the leadership of the new assistant coordinator of the mission trips program Julie Cipriano.

“I hope these mission trips will allow students to see Christ and human dignity in everyone. While the communities they encounter may not be blessed materially, I want students to realize that they are wealthy in community, faith and culture,” she said.

Students will have the chance to spend far more than a week helping the impoverished, with trips to Alaska, Chile, New Jersey, and the Bronx, each lasting two months. The extended amount of time will give those involved the opportunity to work more in depth with the people and the organizations in these locations.

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“There are many ways to be rich,” Cipriano says, “and I want the students to understand that in their hearts.”

Mission trips play a crucial role in spreading the light of Christ to the world, as well as educating those who actively contribute. In the words of Pope St. John Paul II, as members of the Church, it is one’s duty to “contribute to mankind's pilgrimage of conversion to God's plan through her witness and through such activities as dialogue, human promotion, commitment to justice and peace, education and the care of the sick, and aid to the poor and to children.”

Christendom College places much emphasis on living out the spiritual and corporal works of mercy in the world.

On a regular basis, students actively donate their time and energy to charitable organizations, such as at local pregnancy centers and nursing homes. However, the mission trips allow students to see the broader picture of the duty of the Church and enhance their global outlook.

CLASSMATES

our to dy Sen sions s i m es@ sub ssmat .edu m a cl ndo iste r h c

[your paper & ink alumni social network]

1990’s

2000’s

Agnes (Curley) Penny ’97 is excited to announce the publication of her third “Companion for Homeschooling Mothers.” The book is available at TANbooks.com and is the fruit of Agnes’ experience homeschooling her own nine children.

Jaclyn Weber ’06 moved from the suburbs of Arlington, Va., and is now living in the center of Baltimore City. Much to her surprise, she is now back in school taking graduate classes in the evenings for an MBA while working full-time as an Administrative Assistant at the University of Baltimore.

Dan Henson ’08 and Emily (Smith) Henson ’09 are working with a group that received final approval from the NC State Board of Education to open a publicly funded charter school in North Carolina.

They were one of 11 groups approved out of an initial 175. The application began in 2013 and included hundreds of pages of documentation, mandatory training sessions, and an interview by a State Advisory Board. They are currently fundraising and recruiting and plan to open Youngsville Academy in July 2015 with 140 students and quickly grow to 360 students. Emily will serve as an Instructional Trainer, a role she has worked in as a consultant with local schools.

On Saturday, January 10, 2015, David Brown ’92 was married to Ashley Brock at St. Rita Catholic Church in Alexandria, Va. Many Christendom classmates were in attendance. Above, David and Ashley are pictured with David’s brother, Fr. Joseph Mary ’85, who celebrated the wedding Mass.

After 13 years of teaching, Carolyn (Wilber) Dunlap ’98 is currently serving as the Administrative Assistant for the Catholic Church of the Nativity in Spring Hill, Tenn. She now has seven children who keep her always busy and grateful for all that she has. If you are ever in Nashville, please stop in and visit.

Stella Catherine Criste, ninth child of Vincent ’98 and Barbara (Portzer) Criste ’95 was born on January 24, 2015. Barbara is doing great and Stella is beginning to put on weight and is getting plenty of loving from older brothers and sisters.

Beth Doherty (’08) is currently serving as the Program Manager for the Diocese of Burlington’s Office of Safe Environment Programs in Vermont.

Working with parishes, Catholic schools, clergy, staff, and volunteers, she coordinates child safety training across Vermont and ensures compliance with the USCCB’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. In late 2014 an exciting new side business entered the scene when she became an Independent Wellness Guide (IWG) for a young-and-growing company called Radiantly You. In her new role, she shares all-natural and affordable home, body, baby, and cleaning products to help individuals remove harmful chemicals from their homes and lives.

Craig and Jamie (Dresch) Spiering ’04 recently had their sixth child – daughter, Lucinda Therese Andrea. She was born on November 30, 2014, the feast of St. Andrew. Her three brothers and two sisters joyfully welcome her along with mom and dad.

2010’s Ben and Sarah (Marchand) Salmon ’10 were married on January 3, 2015, at St. Andrew the Apostle in Clifton, Va.

Paul Haislmaier and Erin Clark ’12 were married on Sept 13, 2014, in Front Royal. Photo credit Spiering Photography. This marriage marks the first wedding of two children of Christendom College alumni.

Dominic Vieira ’12 is engaged to Elizabeth Heine from Warrenton, Va. They plan to marry this coming summer.

Angela Swagler ’12 got engaged to Sean Greenwalt at the end of the 2015 March for Life, in front of the Supreme Court steps. They will be getting married on July 25, 2015.

Kelsey Ingold ’14, a postulant with the Sisters of Life in New York ran into David Costanzo (see page 11) at a caroling event on December 18, which the sisters do each year outside their convent. Kelsey was a member of the student philanthropy board (see page 19).

Daniel and Morgan (Robey) Evans ’14 were married on September 27, 2014, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Warrenton, Va. Photo credit Spiering Photography.

SPRING 2015

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NEWS i

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On March 2, Christendom College welcomed sixteen of the best and brightest applicants to the college for the annual Padre Pio Full-Tuition Scholarship Competition, organized by the admissions office. Held every year on campus, the competition gave the applicants a taste of life at Christendom, where they sat in on classes, listened to presentations, and met with a faculty panel before ending the day at an elegant reception.

“The Past as Pilgrimage: Narrative, Tradition & the Renewal of Catholic History,” a new book written

by Christendom history professor Dr. Christopher Shannon and former professor Dr. Christopher Blum is finding great success both in sales and in media recognition. The work, published by Christendom Press, challenges the secular bias currently prevalent among professional historians, and argues for the compatibility of faith and reason in the study of the past.

Dr. Charles E. Rice, who served as an Advisor to the Board at Christendom College, passed away on February 25. A professor of law, Catholic apologist, and author of numerous books, Rice was a great friend of Christendom College. He died at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy as a true champion of Catholic higher education.

Renowned Thomistic scholar and author Fr. John Meconi, S.J., presented the annual St. Thomas Aquinas lecture on January 28. Fr. Meconi’s lecture, titled “The Augustinian Roots of Thomistic Deification,” focused on St. Thomas’ appreciation of St. Augustine’s thought concerning man’s deification in Christ, in celebration of the great feast.

Instaurare

n BRIEF

Renowned Byzantine priest and liturgist Fr. David E. Anderson delivered a series of lectures from February 4-7, concluding with a celebration of the Divine Byzantine Liturgy in Christ the King Chapel. A teacher and a translator of patristic and Byzantine liturgical texts, Fr. Anderson’s lectures were part of Christendom’s Faith & Reason lecture series and can be downloaded at Christendom on iTunes U.

In February, the college broke ground on expanding Madonna Hall’s faculty offices, and the construction of a new admissions office suite. Overlooking the Shenandoah River, both these projects are the first steps in some upcoming expansion plans, which include a new commons building, featuring a permanent dining hall and new classrooms for students. The new St. Kevin’s business office recently opened in January, as well, on the east side of campus near the Crusader athletic fields.

Harvard University Fellow Dr. Albertus Horsting has been hired as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Classical and Early Christian Studies at Christendom College. An award-winning scholar, Horsting will contribute his expert knowledge of Greek and Latin to the college’s rigorous liberal arts program, as he joins Christendom’s esteemed faculty.

The college hosted a relic of Pope St. John Paul the Great on January 7 as it traveled on pilgrimage across the U.S. The relic, a vial of the late pontiff’s blood, is the only traveling relic of its kind, brought to Christendom by the Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

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Omnia in Christo St. Thomas More’s Theology of the Body

Taken from the college’s motto “Instaurare Omnia in Christo,” this section features an excerpt from a recent paper or talk by one of Christendom’s distinguished faculty.

By Dr. Michael Kelly

I

n his polemical works, Thomas More’s assessment of the flesh and its weakness is often expressed with a vehemence that seems to amount to

hatred. It is common to find him describing the body as “vile” and its appetites as “the foule affection of the fylthy fleshe.” His disgust at the marriages of Martin Luther and other former priests and religious who had embraced the Reformation explodes on the page with such frequency and fury that some modern scholars have suggested there was something unbalanced in More’s attitude to the flesh. But Thomas More was no Manichean.

In his prison works, the Dialogue of Comfort against Tribulation and his meditation on the Agony in the Garden, De tristitia Christi, composed in the Tower of London in 1534-35, where the mature saint’s mind is most fully revealed, More teaches that the flesh, the human body, matter itself, could actually contribute to the quality of a Christian’s spiritual life.

In these writings, More muted his anti-heresy polemic as he strove by prayer, meditation, and composition to steel his soul to face death.

He continues to disagree with the “new men,” as he calls them, when relevant, but generally without naming names. And he has done with his diatribes against the “shameful sacrilege” of friars and nuns attempting marriages.

Instead, More explains the important role the material or physical could play in the economy of salvation. Salvation is not for souls alone; the body, material as it is, has its part in the work of the Spirit.

In his meditation on Gethsemane, More explains that the flesh has positive contributions to make in the divine plan of redemption. God had so arranged it that mere nature’s resistance to grace, if “overcome and put down by grace, may add to the merit” of a good deed. Thus, the weakness of the natural flesh may, by grace, increase the supernatural merit of a human act.

More knows that it is intention that guides and governs the morality of physical actions. The “most sacred sign of charity,” a kiss, might be turned by intention into a sign of betrayal.

But physical actions might be virtuous even when the actor’s intention was not continually explicit. Here More attempts to alleviate the unease of those who suffered from unwilled distraction during prayer.

He explains that pilgrimage is good, even though pilgrims could not always keep focused on their destinations. The “moral virtue” of their act continues: for “that whole natural act of walking is informed and imbued with a moral virtue because it is silently accompanied by the pious intention formed at the beginning . . . just as a stone continues on its course because of the original impetus.

(CW 14:319)” As long as the worthy intention of the pilgrim or the prayer was not revoked, the physical action remained virtuous.

Undergirding for More the importance of the physical in God’s plan for mankind’s redemption was the Incarnate Christ. The Savior’s example was the model for Christians. Christ “wanted us to learn that a reverend attitude of the body, though it takes its origin and character from the soul, increases by a kind of reflex the soul’s own reverence and devotion.” Thus, in the Garden, Christ “did not sit back or stand up or merely kneel down, but rather He threw His whole body face-forward and lay prostrate on the ground.” Christ’s example demonstrated that the posture of the body during prayer was significant.

But Christ was much more than a pattern for Christians. “By His bruises we are healed.”

More is insistent that these were true bruises on a true human body. God willed to save the human race through the sufferings of a divine person made flesh. Moreover, from Christ’s corpse pierced on the cross there flowed “holy blode and water, wherof his holy sacramentes haue Inestymable secrete strength.” Christ’s sacraments too revealed God’s will to save the human race using material means, each requiring for validity some material element or physical action. God ordained “the holy manhed” of Christ “for our necessitie to cure our dedly woundes with the medisyn made of the most holsome blode of his own blessid body.”

Thomas More’s ideas about the role of material things in the economy of salvation reveal his robust Incarnational theology. As a saint and martyr noted for his personal asceticism and violent condemnations of disordered sexual appetites, especially in men and women who had renounced an earlier commitment to celibacy in the service of God, it is easy to perceive More as simply contemptuous of weak human flesh. Yet in the Dialogue of Comfort, More’s character Anthony declares: “God hath given vs our bodies here to kepe, & will that we manteyne them to do him seruice with / till he send for us hens.” However strongly More denounces at times the “foul affections of the filthy flesh,” Christians are to keep body and soul together if they can, and serve God with both.

Dr. Michael Kelly, an assistant professor of history at Christendom College, received his M.A. in Early Modern European History from St. Louis University, and his Ph.D. in Modern European History from the University of Notre Dame.

This is an abridged version of a paper submitted to University of Dallas’ Center for Thomas More Studies’ “Theology of Thomas More’s Tower Works” seminar, October 2014. The full essay will appear in Moreana, June 2015.

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2015 Summer Conference

Encountering Christ Apologetics & the New Evangelization A one-day conference hosted

by Christendom College at its Front Royal, Va., campus.

Saturday

July 11 ONLY

$85 WHEN YOU REGISTER BEFORE MAY 15

Cardinal Arinze | Patrick Madrid | Scott Hahn Timothy O’Donnell | Marcus Grodi | Brendan McGuire | R.J. Matava

Find out more and register at christendom.edu/conference.

SPRING 2015

1

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID Huntington, IN Permit # 832

134 Christendom Drive Front Royal, VA 22630

IN PERSON

If you’re going to attend a pre-college summer program, why not attend the best? Experience it for yourself.

Each one-week session is only $500. Financial aid available.

christendom.edu/experience