SIBLINGS HONOR THEIR FATHER WITH ST. JOSEPH STATUE
ROME REFLECTIONS DURING THE PAPAL CONCLAVE
A STUDENT'S JOURNEY TO MISSIONARY LIFE
CHRISTENDOM LAUNCHES NEW ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORM
VOLUME 33 | NUMBER 2 | SUMMER 2025
Published twice yearly by the Communications and Marketing Office.
Editor & Design Director: Niall O’Donnell
Assistant Editor: Zach Smith
Design Assistant and Illustrator: Julie Wells
Publications Coordinator: Lianna Youngman
Photos: Paul Aguilar, Agnes Blum, Thomas Cole, Sofia Cummings, Aron Forthofer, Eddie Menke, Niall O’Donnell, Hailey Sergent, Julie Wells, Lianna Youngman
Contributors: Vince Criste, Douglas Dailey, Richard Hanley, William Hannegan, George Harne, Anna Hsu, Riley Lane, Rose Llera, Zach Smith, Lianna Youngman
Christendom College 134 Christendom Drive, Front Royal, VA 22630 540-636-2900 | www.christendom.edu
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 sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
BOARD OF
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mrs.
’01
Hester ’99 (Treasurer)
Hough
O’Keefe ’93 (Chairman)
Velasco ’90 (Vice Chairman)
Mr. Thomas C. West Jr.
ON THE COVER
The graduates of 2025 celebrate with a hat toss in front of Christ the King Chapel.
inside this issue
BEAUTY & TRUTH CONFERENCE
Christendom welcomed friends, alumni, and benefactors to campus for a conference, "Beauty and Truth: Bringing Joy to the Heart of Man." Participants enjoyed hearing from James Matthew Wilson, Dale Ahlquist, Monsignor Charles Pope, Frank La Rocca, Dr. Daniel McInerny, Dr. Kathleen Sullivan, and College President George A. Harne, Ph.D. Watch or listen to the presentations at tinyurl.com/d72fpbjw or on our Summer Conference podcast.
CHRISTENDOM COLLEGE
A Better Way Forward
Alumni Dr. John Paul Jansen and Dr. Patrick Vander Woude speak of their subscription-based medical practice.
A Father's Legacy
How the O'Reilly siblings secretly sponsored the Death of St. Joseph statue to honor their father.
In the Heart of Rome
Rising senior Anna Hsu's reflections of being in Rome for Pope Francis' funeral and the Papal Conclave.
Online Learning Platform
Christendom College announces the launch of a new online learning platform and the release of the latest course: "Becoming a Saint."
a note from the PRESIDENT
GEORGE A. HARNE, PH.D.
“ Remember who you are. Remember what you have received. And remember to what you have been called. ”
President
George
A. Harne, Ph.D.,
offered the following remarks at the conclusion of Commencement on May 17, 2025.
Before giving my final charge, I want to offer a personal note. It has been a great pleasure to get to know this year's senior class. Sometimes this took place over lunch in the Commons or while walking across campus or during thesis presentations, Advanced Studies celebrations or through other informal means.
Thank you for welcoming me as your president, for your words and notes of encouragement during the year, and for welcoming my family to Christendom.
Now for the charge. My charge, graduating class of 2025, is threefold: Remember who you are. Remember what you have received. And remember to what you have been called.
First, remember who you are. Remember that you were made in the image and likeness of God. Remember that you were made for heroic deeds, deeds that may unfold on the great stage of history or take place offstage and hidden from view. Remember that you were made for a life that is cruciform but that Good Friday, however dark it may be, is not the last word. You were also made for Easter.
Remember that your story is part of God's greater story and that this story brings joy from grief, meaning from apparent absurdity, and harmony from dissonance. Remember that you are loved by God and that you don't have to earn that love.
Remember that you were made to cooperate with grace, to grow in self-sacrifice and self-mastery into true freedom and joy, bearing witness to the transformative effects of the gospel, and to bring this gospel, through words and deeds, to others. Remember that you were made for communion: communion in your family, communion with Christ, and communion in His Church.
Second, remember what you have received and let gratitude be your response. You have received an intellectual formation: we have sought to awaken wonder in your souls and lead you, as St. John Henry Newman suggests, from shadows into the light of wisdom, toward an integrated vision of the whole of reality that you cultivate for the rest of your lives. We have sought to embody at Christendom what it means not only to love God with our heart and soul, but also what it means to love God with our mind.
In all of this you have received intellectual charity, and it is now your turn to share the fruits of your intellectual formation, the fruits of your contemplation with others.
For the rest of your lives, you will be the primary agents of your continuing intellectual formation. I urge you to create spaces for learning and leisure in your lives and in the lives of your families and continue to build the great cathedral of wisdom within your souls.
You have received spiritual formation: we have sought to create a
community ordered to prayer and holiness, a sacramental culture that forms you to become, like the first disciples, eager to be witnesses to the risen Christ for all those who so desperately need to hear the good news. We hope you will become like those who have discovered a hidden oasis in the desert, who then share news of its existence with those dying of thirst.
And you have received formation as persons: we have summoned you to be and become mature and virtuous leaders, humble servants who seek to serve rather than be served, and to live in the truth rather than by lies.
Reflect on these gifts frequently and let gratitude flow to those who were the givers of these gifts.
Third, remember to what you have been called. Each of us has been called to restore all things in Christ. This does not mean a return to some golden age that exists more in our imaginations than in reality and makes no real demands upon us. It means to be Christ's disciple here and now, in the ordinary circumstances of our daily lives, becoming His follower, taking up our cross and following Him each day, knowing that unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains just a
single grain, but if it dies, it bears much fruit. This is not the world’s moralistic and therapeutic recipe for so-called happiness: a numbing, technocratically engineered pseudo-satisfaction of manufactured desires that can never truly be satisfied. Rather, you have received a particular call, a call to make Christ the King in your own life, in your family, in your parishes, and in your communities, using weapons not made by human hands, but rather with the weapons of the Spirit. Let us run the race to win the prize.
This is your threefold charge. Remember who you are. Remember what you have received. And remember to what you have been called.
Please know that our hearts and our prayers will be with you as you go forth from us today. And may Christ the King bring us all together again, united in the beatific vision, to see the Love that moves the Sun and the Other Stars.
ALL THINGS
NEWS from CHRISTENDOM COLLEGE
FACULTY CONFERENCE
Christendom’s faculty gathered this past May for an internal conference focused on the theme, “Renewing Catholic Liberal Education: Sources, Narratives, and Principles.” Held on campus and featuring nine papers presented by faculty members from across disciplines, the conference provided an opportunity for reflection, dialogue, and deepened unity in pursuit of Christendom’s educational vision. The event, open only to the college’s faculty and select staff, fostered a collegial and contemplative atmosphere in which presenters explored various facets of Catholic liberal education.
HARNE AND MCINERNY EXPLORE ART
Christendom hosted a thought-provoking discussion on the nature and significance of art, featuring philosophy professor Dr. Daniel McInerny alongside College President George A. Harne, Ph.D. The event explored the question: “What is Art, and Why Does It Matter?” McInerny, author of the highly acclaimed Beauty and Imitation: A Philosophical Reflection on the Arts, opened the event with a lecture arguing that art is a distinctly human endeavor that provides both sensory delight and deeper contemplation of existence. Harne then joined McInerny for a dynamic conversation on the relationship between beauty and art, the importance of artistic craft, and the challenges facing Catholic artists today.
FIRST EDUCATION FAIR
Christendom’s Career and Professional Development Office held its first-ever Education Career Fair this spring, hosting school representatives on campus as an opportunity for students to meet potential employers regarding teaching jobs. Twelve diocesan and private schools from six different states participated in the career fair, giving approximately 50 students the chance to connect directly with school representatives. This was one of the many opportunities the college’s Career and Professional Development Office offers students to meet with potential employers throughout the year—one of the reasons the college consistently sees one of the highest post-graduation success rates in the nation.
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Andrew Baltrinic, Nadia Henry, Ruth Gideon, and Clare Kernan were named the winners of Christendom College’s 2025 Padre Pio Full-Tuition Scholarship Competition. In addition to the full-tuition scholarships, the college awarded seven $5,000 William Carrigan Scholarships to Joseph Harrigan, MaryGrace Kavookjian, Serenity Fedoryka, Lillian Taylor, Mary Klucinec, William Zuberbueler, and Edmund Brugger. Based on the feedback of panelists and the scholarship committee, this was one of the strongest and most competitive groups of Padre Pio finalists in the college’s history, with ninety-eight students from 30 U.S. states, including as far as Alaska, participating in this year’s competition. The college looks forward to welcoming these exceptional scholars—and the entire Class of 2029—to campus this August, where they will learn the truth, live the Faith, and thrive as Catholics.
STUDENTS RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE
Members of Christendom College’s Class of 2025 were honored for their outstanding academic, athletic, and service achievements during the college’s Commencement Weekend this past May. During the graduation dinner on Friday, May 16, the college’s seven academic departments honored graduating seniors for excellence in their fields of study with John Dillon (pictured, left) earning the Warren H. Carroll Award for Outstanding Senior History Thesis; Meaghan Pierce (pictured, right) earning the Outstanding Senior Philosophy Major Award; Peter McMahon earning the William H. Marshner Award for Outstanding Theology Major; Alex Dean earning the St. Ambrose Award for Excellence in Latin Letters; Jared Plasberg earning the St. John Chrysostom Award for Excellence in Greek Letters; Helen Davis (pictured, far right) earning the Robert C. Rice Award for Outstanding English Language and Literature Major; Bridget McCaughey earning the St. Thomas More Award for Outstanding Political Science and Economics Major; and Catherine Thomas and Michael Townsend both earning the Outstanding Mathematics and Natural Science Major Award. In addition, the college also honored Megan Ellis with the Student Activities Council’s St. Joseph Award for Service and honored Michael Townsend, Miranda Keller, and David Echaniz (pictured, center) with the Athletic Department’s Crusader Leadership Award.
WOMEN’S SCHOLA LAUNCHES
“He who sings, prays twice.” Christendom’s music program has taken these words of St. Augustine to heart with the launch of a new women’s schola, providing female singers with an opportunity to enrich the college’s liturgical musical life by singing polyphony and chant for several Masses each semester. The college already offers a men’s schola that sings chant for occasional weekday Masses and a mixed choir that sings for Sunday Mass, but an all-female schola is a first for Christendom.
Liturgical music professor Dr. Sara Pecknold leads this new initiative, with the women’s schola singing at the Solemnities of Saint Joseph, the Annunciation of Our Lord, Easter Tuesday and Thursday this past semester.
STUDENTS ATTEND MISSION TRIPS AND PILGRIMAGES
Many Christendom students and staff members chose to sacrifice their spring breaks and live out the mission of the college to “restore all things in Christ” by going on mission trips and pilgrimages to Honduras, Chicago, the Dominican Republic, and Paris. Students helped rebuild two old chapels in the Dominican Republic, evangelized in villages in Honduras, helped renovate a community center in Chicago, and spent time in prayer and contemplation at various sacred sites in Paris and Lourdes.
ALUMNUS NAMED DIRECTOR FOR ARLINGTON DIOCESE
Alumnus Fr. Noah Morey ’08 was named the new Director of the Office of Vocations for Christendom College’s home Diocese of Arlington. Fr. Morey, who has served as chaplain at Bishop Ireton High School since 2019, now oversees all vocations efforts for the diocese, which is known for having one of the highest levels of vocations in the United States. In his new role, Fr. Morey will lead discernment events across the diocese, along with providing personalized guidance to those discerning a call to the religious life, overseeing the application process for seminary and religious community applications, and promoting vocational awareness at parishes and schools.
STAFF, ALUMNI INVOLVEMENT IN PAPAL CONCLAVE AND FIRST PAPAL MASS
Christendom staff and alumni were blessed to participate in coverage of the recent papal conclave, with President Emeritus Dr. Timothy O’Donnell making numerous appearances on Fox News, Vatican News, and Newsmax to discuss papal history and share his own insights into recent papal conclaves and funerals. Alumni, including John-Paul DeJak ’24, also appeared on other media outlets, such as Inside the Vatican. Just a day after Pope Leo XIV’s historic election, Sr. Mary Mercy (Robyn Lee ’02), a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, proclaimed the first reading at the first Mass of Pope Leo XIV in the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, May 9. Serving at the Vatican since late 2024, Sr. Mary Mercy was asked to read during this historic Mass just months after professing her perpetual vows.
IN MEMORIAM
CHRISTENDOM MOURNS PROFESSOR SCHNEIBLE
Christendom College mourns the passing of former mathematics professor Daniel Schneible, who died peacefully on May 6, 2025, at the age of 81. A joyful and devoted member of the community for more than a decade, Schneible left a lasting impact both in and out of the classroom—volunteering with the Christendom Players, coaching the college’s first-ever baseball team, and performing at Coffee House events alongside his children. Beloved by students and colleagues alike, he is remembered for his warmth, generosity, and steady encouragement. Through his dedicated service to the college and to his country, Schneible leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire for years to come.
A Better Way
Way Forward
CHRISTENDOM ALUMNI LEAD A MEDICAL RENEWAL THROUGH
FIAT MEDICAL
BY LIANNA YOUNGMAN
Very often, a point of stress and financial strain comes from medical expenses. Beyond that, comprehending insurance is nearly always an opaque and frustrating process. These issues can discourage medical students from pursuing their calling and prevent families from easily accessing the care they need. Christendom alum Dr. John-Paul Jansen ’00 is combating the area of medical uncertainty through his direct primary care facility, Fiat Medical.
Fiat Medical was born out of a desire to better serve both patients and doctors. Typical clinics are often constrained by complications arising from insurance, causing delays, endless paperwork, and unanswered questions. Frequently, insurance dictates what kind of treatment a patient can have and the types of care that are covered, not covered, partially covered, or considered “optional.”
Another pitfall of these kinds of care facilities is the limited time a doctor has for each patient. A patient may wait several weeks for an appointment, only to be seen by a doctor for only 15 minutes, ordered to take a litany of tests, and come back in a month. Unfortunately, insurance can all too easily complicate and even limit care, leaving both patient and doctor frustrated while the bills rack up.
Witnessing the world’s response to COVID-19, Jansen increasingly felt the desire for change. He recognized problems with physicians burning out from these types of workdays, and patients being unable to get comprehensive care from these short, stressful visits. He wanted a better way. With his father, Dr. Donald Jansen, he started Fiat Medical as an answer to this healthcare problem, opening a direct primary care practice in Front Royal, Virginia, with a sister branch in Manassas headed up by Patrick Vander Woude ’05.
This model of practice is subscription based, removing the need for insurance to complicate and potentially compromise care. It also allows for more personal and intentional care for patients.
“By doing this,” Jansen says, “we’re much more independent. We are able to do things more freely and address the needs the community wants.”
As Vander Woude says, “Fiat Medical is seeking to reinvigorate the old country doctor mentality, which is about having relationships with people and not treating them like numbers in a factory.”
Jansen graduated from Christendom in 2000 with a degree in history and then pursued a medical career. He says his liberal arts education has been crucial to his career as a physician. He recognizes the value in having gotten his degree in history prior to medical school, saying:
“You need both is what I would say. Because if you're not able to think on your own, you're going to be following the masses, right? Who's able to think on their own versus not? And I think that's where the liberal arts education makes a difference."
“Christendom is able to give you a bit more of an advantage than anybody else," Jansen says, "because to think critically, to be able to write, to read, and to kind of criticize ideas is so important and they don't teach that in medical school or nursing school. There's not a specific class or a specific way to say, ‘hey, hey, think outside of the box, see what you can do.’ I can take a look at the whole person, not just the patient’s physical health."
Jansen credits his education with guiding his career to this day, saying, "Christendom really helped me, not only in medical
Several Christendom alumni work with Jansen (second from left) at Fiat Medical, including Joseph Norton '10 (far left), and Patrick Vander Woude '05 (center).
Fiat Medical is seeking to reinvigorate the old country doctor mentality, which is about having relationships with people and not treating them like numbers in a factory.
school, but as a physician, to see the person as a whole—mind, body, and soul—not just the body, which medicine has a strong tendency to do.”
Vander Woude agrees.
“Studying real, Christ-centered history at Christendom has been one of the best foundations for practicing medicine. It taught me to ask questions and not to rely on algorithms or the ‘expertise’ of others,” he says, “It also taught me that in order to truly ‘restore all things in Christ’ we need to live our Catholic faith in public, whether it is popular or not.”
Having that foundation in the Catholic liberal arts has given a focus to Jansen and Vander Woude’s medical work. It’s out of that desire to “restore all things in Christ” that Fiat was born. Its subscription-based practice has reaped many positive results, both for their own staff and the people they serve. Building more personal, dedicated relationships with their patients has allowed Fiat Medical to give patients far more time and personalized attention.
“The most meaningful aspect of working in healthcare thus far, has been helping people advocate for themselves and understand that they have the ability to get healthy,” Vander Woude says.
As the healthcare field becomes increasingly complex and impersonal, Jansen and Vander Woude pursue this path out of a desire to find a better way forward with their practice. Through Fiat Medical, they are not only providing highquality care but also restoring the dignity of both patient and physician. They are far from alone, as many direct care practices are starting up all around the country, and of those, many have been started by Catholics. The movement has been growing, aiming to improve the world of healthcare and provide health and fulfillment to patients and providers alike. And in doing so, they are helping to build a better future for medicine—one patient at a time.
A FATHER’S LEGACY
SIBLINGS HONOR THEIR FATHER THROUGH ST. JOSEPH
BY LIANNA YOUNGMAN
Sometimes, surprises really work out. They are difficult to plan, even more difficult to execute and, the more people involved, the harder to keep. For the O’Reilly family’s 14 children, the surprise was worth it to secretly sponsor the Death of St. Joseph statue in Christ the King Chapel for their father, Frank O’Reilly ’83.
This act was inspired by three foundational things for the O’Reillys: The Holy Family, St. Joseph, and Christendom College.
“The Holy Family has been a special patron for our marriage and for our family since before we were engaged,” Frank O’Reilly explains. He proposed to his wife, Angélique (née Syversen) ’83, on the Feast of the Holy Family and named his company The St. Joseph Group Inc (DBA Petrine Construction).
This devotion to St. Joseph had especially been ingrained in the family from the influence of O’Reilly’s own father, Dr. Sean
O’Reilly, who said of his own experience after a heart attack, “In death, the devil gets a last crack and tries to get you to say 'non serviam' (I do not accept) but St. Joseph is also there with Mary and Jesus.”
This had a profound effect on Frank and Angélique, inspiring their devotion to St. Joseph and the Holy Family as patrons of a good death. The O’Reillys shared this devotion with their children by teaching them the prayer to St. Joseph for a happy death and including it in their family Rosary.
O’Reilly’s love for St. Joseph is also evident in his career. A builder by trade, with an excellent eye for design, O’Reilly was instrumental in the design and construction of nearly every building on Christendom’s campus, as well as many prominent structures in the Front Royal community. Beyond physical buildings, the O’Reilly family has long been committed to building community as well—counted among the core families
who helped establish and nurture Christendom College in its early years. Like his father before him, O’Reilly played a vital role in the College’s growth—through his work, his steadfast support, and, so far, sending 11 of his 14 children to Christendom.
Both alumni themselves, O'Reilly and Angélique received their Bachelor's in History under Christendom College founder Dr. Warren Carroll. He remains a profound influence.
“Men like Dr. Carroll and my father,” O'Reilly says, “weren’t tossed by the waves, they were the rocks in the storm.”
Dr. Carroll emphasized that rebuilding starts with marriage and the family—the building blocks of any society and even the Church. For O'Reilly, the College's adoption of the motto of Pope St. Pius X, “To Restore All Things in Christ,” captures this best. Dr. Carroll would sometimes send O'Reilly and Angélique his latest books, one of which is a treasured possession. In Volume IV of The History Of Christendom, a handwritten inscription reads: “For Frank and Angélique and family: the literal builders of Christendom.” O'Reilly explains, “At that point, we had ten
children and he [Carroll] saw all these alumni marriages, that were radically open to new life, as a sign of hope.”
It was the combination of the family’s devotion to the Holy Family, love of Christendom, and the example of O’Reilly’s devotion and trust in St. Joseph that inspired one of his sons, Sean, with a plan.
“The idea came to me because growing up and seeing Dad always turn to St. Joseph as a young boy was really a beautiful thing, and of course, St. Joseph is a great role model for fathers,” Sean O’Reilly says. “I thought, ‘Why don’t we do something for Dad? He has invested so much, he’s sent 11 kids to Christendom so far, and he helped build many of the structures here. We could do it.”
Sean spoke discreetly to then college president Dr. Timothy O’Donnell, asking if he could secretly reserve the donation of the statue. At that time, Sean, uncertain if his idea was crazy or not, got to work talking to the rest of the family.
“I told him [Dr. O’Donnell] I have no idea if we could come
Previous: Frank and Angélique O'Reilly, surrounded by their 14 children. Above: Detail of the Death of St. Joseph statue. Right-top: The workshop in Cordoba, Spain, where Edwin Gonzalez constructed the sculpture. Right-lower: Gonzalez demonstrates various carving techniques in his workshop.
Men like Dr. Carroll and my father weren't tossed by the waves, they were the rocks in the storm. " "
up with what’s needed, but I’ll contact my siblings, and let’s see. I’ll offer it up to St. Joseph and see what happens,” says Sean.
Sean’s younger brother, James O’Reilly ’21, recalls the moment:
“When my brother Sean first proposed the idea of sponsoring the Death of St. Joseph statue in honor of our dad, I hadn't even graduated from Christendom yet,” says James O’Reilly. “Naturally, I loved the idea, but I didn't know how practical it would be since I didn't even have a job. At the same time, however, I was also overcome with a deep desire to honor my dad in such a touching way.”
The O’Reilly siblings agreed to the scheme, a secret that would have to be kept for years as the chapel was built and the statue components designed and carved by hand in Spain. While throughout those long years of waiting there were a few perilous moments where the secret almost slipped out, Frank O’Reilly never suspected what his children were up to.
“I never expected it,” Frank O’Reilly says. “It just seemed totally outside of my ability to imagine.”
skill of the artist. Gonzalez made many models from clay before beginning the woodcarving process in the spring of 2024. The completed statue made a careful journey across the ocean in the winter of 2025, with Gonzalez providing final painting details and touch-ups at Christendom for several days.
Finally, after several years of keeping a very big secret, the O’Reilly siblings were finally able to present the statue to their father in a joyful, private celebration in Christ the King Chapel.
“I was incredibly humbled,” Frank O’Reilly recalls. “It’s humbling having your children give you something like that.”
"
I can only hope that the statue will continue to be a source of deeper faith, grace, and humility for those generations who come after us; that those who see and pray by it may also remember Frank O'Reilly, a dreamer, builder, father, husband, and beloved son of the Father.
In the fall of 2021, Christendom began working on the concept with Heritage Liturgical and its artistic director, Enzo Selvaggi. Edwin Gonzalez is the artist behind the Death of St. Joseph statue, as well as the Piéta statue that is in the opposite wing of the chapel. Based in Cordoba, Spain, Gonzalez has provided beautiful works for Christendom and will continue to do so for many years to come. Rose O’Reilly ’18 was living in Spain at that time, and while her sister, Cecilia (née O’Reilly) Leatherman ’12 and her family were visiting her, they went to visit Gonzalez and were able to see the statue being made.
“I believe that the Lord has a plan for each one of us and mine is to give a body, a life, to inert materials such as clay or wood,” says Gonzalez. “To be able to create and give humanity to our Lord is a privilege… It’s an honor to dedicate myself to sacred art.”
Because of the three separate figures that make up the piece, this statue was a long, intense labor, proving the devotion and
James O’Reilly echoes the sentiment: “When we first revealed the Death of St. Joseph statue to my dad, he was shocked (that we kids were able to pull it off), and also deeply humbled. While it stands as a reminder of his mortality, I also pray that he continues to find solace in the knowledge that we kids will be with him until the end, at that moment when he comes face to face with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.”
The sacrifice and secrecy that the siblings managed was more than worth it all in the end to present a gift of such meaning not only to their father, but to their whole family, and the Christendom community at large.
The finished statue, now residing in the right transept of Christ the King Chapel, stands as a powerful testament to fatherhood and family. The story behind the statue adds profound depth and meaning, resonating not only with the O'Reilly family but with every visitor to the chapel. Frank O'Reilly's life, marked by a tireless effort, unwavering dedication, and selfless support, has left an indelible mark on Christendom College. Through this moving tribute, his children honor his legacy, connecting it to the enduring example of St. Joseph.
“I can only hope, furthermore, that the statue will continue to be a source of deeper faith, grace, and humility for those generations who come after us,” James O’Reilly says, “that those who see and pray by it may also remember Frank O'Reilly, a dreamer, builder, father, husband, and beloved son of the Father.”
1. Frank and Angélique's daughter Cecilia (née O'Reilly) Leatherman and her children gain hands-on experience during their visit to the workshop in Cordoba, Spain, in 2024. 2. Gonzalez paints the sculpture on site in Christ the King Chapel. 3. Gonzalez adds finishing touches. 4. Frank and Angélique O'Reilly smile for a photo with Fr. Daniel Mode at the unveiling and blessing of the statue in December. 5. Detail: Death of St. Joseph.
in the HEART of the CHURCH
STUDENT REFLECTS ON HER ROME SEMESTER DURING THE PAPAL CONCLAVE
BY ANNA HSU INTRO BY ZACH SMITH
When Christendom juniors landed in rome this past February for their semester abroad, they expected art, history, and the beauty of living in the very Heart of the Church. What they did not expect was to be swept up in a historic papal transition —spending their days balancing studies with trips to St. Peter’s Square, first for the funeral of one pope and then in the anticipation of the arrival of another.
This is not the first time Christendom students have been in Rome for a papal transition. Students were present in St. Peter’s Square for the funeral of Pope St. John Paul II in 2005, along with the elections of Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 and Pope Francis in 2013. Each of those moments deeply moved those present, enriching their understanding of the Church, the papacy, and their Catholic faith.
This year’s juniors had a similarly remarkable experience. Being immersed in the history, the culture, and the richness of living in the very Heart of the Church is transformative enough. But to be there during a moment of profound historical significance impacted each student in a powerful way.
For rising senior Anna Hsu, the passing of one pope and the election of another served as reminders of the importance of what it truly means to “restore all things in Christ.” This is her story, chronicling the experience of being in Rome for the final days of Pope Francis and the first days of Pope Leo XIV.
When I asked previous Rome students about their experiences, I always heard some form of, “Rome will change you.” This proved to be true. However, I never expected to witness changes in Rome herself and the entire universal church through the papal conclave. The city was already buzzing with the excitement of the Jubilee Year, restoring the art, the churches, and the city architecture to enhance Rome’s beauty. These exterior changes reflected an interior change that was visible in the people I encountered. During the two and a half months I spent in the city, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims journeyed to the Heart of the Church. The Jubilee Year provided the faithful with an opportunity to grow closer to God, but an even deeper opportunity for trust occurred with the death of Pope Francis and the subsequent conclave. These historic events affected the heart of the Church and the hearts of all her members. Including mine.
I faced several personal challenges during my time in Rome. I had never been away from my family for such a prolonged period of time. I had never been so far from home or spent so much time in a big city, which took a great amount of adjustment.
In order to live out Christendom’s mission of restoring all things in Christ, we must first restore ourselves in Christ.
Throughout these trials, there was one constant consolation. I felt God’s presence in a unique way during my time there, which helped me recognize how blessed I am to have the Catholic Faith. He was there in all the beautiful churches that practically lined the streets. He was there in the joy of receiving the Eucharist. He was there when I cried in Adoration. He was visible in my friends and in the other pilgrims. He was there whenever I needed Him. I think, like me, most Catholics know they can rely on God, but they know it as an intellectual fact. Life can transform it into subjective experience, making our Faith truly alive. I had to renew my trust in God. I was in Rome, not only as a student, but as a pilgrim of hope. And I was not alone. Especially after receiving the news of Pope Francis’ death, this sense of hope and trust in God was deepened throughout Rome.
The death of a pope leaves a gaping hole in the Church, and his absence is felt by all her members, especially by the Romans, who have lost not only their pope but their bishop. The following period is one of sorrow, anxiety, and anticipation, but it is never a time of despair. Even as we visited St. Peter’s to say goodbye to Pope Francis during the three days before his funeral, we had hope. We knew a new pope would be elected under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He has protected His Church since the beginning, and He will always continue to do so. The history visible throughout Rome bore witness to this fact. I was privileged to go on the Scavi tour, which enabled us to see the excavations under St. Peter’s Basilica and to glimpse the bones of St. Peter. The Holy Spirit was with the first pope and with each of his successors. There are portraits of all the popes lining the upper parts of the walls at St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, which gives a visible sense of continuity. The Holy Spirit guided
every change, and it is such a blessing to have security in the fact that He will always continue to do so. Christ will never abandon His Bride.
When the start date of the conclave was announced, I had a difficult decision to make. I had planned a trip to Sardinia with several friends; flights were bought and lodgings booked. I could back out of the trip and stay in Rome for this historical occasion, or I could go and just pray the new pope would be elected within the first few ballots while I was still there. After much consideration, I ultimately decided on the latter. I spent as much time in St. Peter’s Square as possible until I had to leave for my trip. I was about to go catch a train to the airport when I heard local church bells ringing and received the news about the white smoke. It was in those moments of disappointment that I glimpsed true joy. My friends and I questioned our decision to leave Rome, but in those moments on the train, huddled together over a phone and excitedly awaiting the announcement of the new pope, we chose to be joyful. We decided to live the experiences that God had permitted us to have. When I received the papal blessing, I felt a tremendous sense of relief. Most of my doubt dissipated, and I resolved to celebrate Pope Leo XIV’s election throughout the whole weekend. I think that our genuine joy made us visible witnesses to those around us, and I hope that we spread that joy throughout our travels.
My time in Rome reminded me how important it is to be open to the Holy Spirit working in my life and working through me to affect the lives of others. I learned about many of the symbols that have been used since the early Christians. My favorite was the anchor. God is our source of stability and will keep us rooted through all the storms we face in our lives. The beauty of these symbols made me question: What do I want to be a symbol of? All Christians should hope that, when people look at us, they see the face of Christ. It is so easy to get lost in the grandeur of Rome with all the amazing architecture and breathtaking churches. However, these do little to glorify God compared to what we can do when we devote our lives to Him. In order to live out Christendom’s mission of restoring all things in Christ, we must first restore ourselves in Christ.
(Top to Bottom): Hsu, along with fellow classmates, takes a tour of the Roman Forum; Christendom juniors make an evening visit to St. Peter's during the conclave; Students gather on the steps near the Vatican to pray a rosary for the election of a new pope.
A NEW BEGINNING
CHRISTENDOM’S 46TH COMMENCEMENT
BY ZACH SMITH
BEGINNING
Commencement marks the close of a chapter—years of study, growth, hardship, and sacrifice culminating in a single moment as a tassel moves from right to left. For many, bittersweet is an understatement. And yet, commencement also marks something else: a new beginning. “New beginnings” was a theme that echoed across Christendom College this past year. For the senior class, it meant preparing for life beyond the Shenandoah Valley. For the college, it marked the start of a new era under its new president, George A. Harne, Ph.D.
As the graduating class, their families, their friends, and the college as a whole gathered to close this year, the bittersweet sense at the closing of one chapter faded into excitement—both for their own individual futures, and for the future of Christendom.
That feeling of celebration began on Friday, May 16, with the Baccalaureate Mass in Christendom’s Christ the King Chapel. Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington, a dear friend of the college, returned to celebrate the Mass, urging the graduates to continue to say “yes” to what God is asking of them in the days ahead.
“It is a privilege to be with you here today, dear graduates, as we thank God for the blessings He has showered upon you these past four years,” said Bishop Burbidge. “You graduate at a very exciting time in the life of the church, just a week after we were introduced to our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. God has a plan for each and every one of you, and He will take you to heights beyond which you can imagine. Your main work is to say yes to what the Lord is asking you. That yes is always the path to holiness.”
Following the Mass, graduates and their families proceeded to nearby Shenandoah Valley Golf Club, which overlooks the Blue Ridge Mountains that surround Christendom. There, parents of the Class of 2025 shared cocktails and dinner with the college’s faculty and staff, while the soon-to-be graduates celebrated with each other on their final night as Christendom students.
Toasts punctuated the evening, with Dr. Harne, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Kevin Tracy, Senior Class President Aron Forthofer, and Student Body President Emily Meli all raising their glasses to the parents, the student body, and the college’s staff and faculty.
During the dinner, the college’s academic departments also honored seniors with awards for excellence in their fields of study, giving the class—and the parents—the opportunity to celebrate the incredible intellectual legacy being left by this year’s seniors.
The next morning, the Class of 2025 gathered one last time to make their way to St. Louis the Crusader Gymnasium.
1. Senior Class President Aron Forthofer toasted the staff at Christendom and offered a word of gratitude. 2. Student Body President Emily Meli toasted the faculty on behalf of the senior class. 3. VP of Academic Affairs Kevin Tracy presented the departmental awards for outstanding seniors. 4. Senior Paul Aguilar smiles for a photo with his father and grandmother. 5. Bishop Michael Burbidge celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass on Friday. 6. President Har ne presents Francis X. Maier with an honorary doctorate on behalf of the college. 7. Graduates process to St. Louis the Crusader Gymnasium for the commencem ent ceremony.
Processing from Old Chapel Hall, they walked purposefully into their commencement ceremonies, ready to begin their next chapter.
Once inside St. Louis the Crusader Gymnasium, salutatorian Bernadette Rodriguez welcomed the hundreds of guests present to this year’s commencement exercises, offering thanks for all that the Class of 2025 received during their four years at Christendom.
“Christendom has often been described as a kind of training ground,” said Rodriguez. “It prepares us to give to others what has been so generously given to us. I have no doubt that in the years to come, we will be continually grateful for this training, continually grateful for this formation which has equipped us for our vocations, for truly it is training not only for this life but for eternal life, for ourselves and for all we encounter.”
Following Rodriguez’s welcome, Dr. Harne awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters to this year’s commencement speaker, Francis X. Maier, senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. In his address, Maier underscored the urgent need for Christendom’s mission—and for its graduates.
“The church needs the college that formed you, and she urgently needs each one of you personally because it’s people, not tools or weapons or even resources, that are decisive,” said Maier. “Any effort at restoring all things in Christ, which is the mission of this college and its graduates, begins with conversion, reform, and a personal zeal for discipleship in each of our individual hearts.”
Maier, who served for 23 years as senior aide to Archbishop Charles Chaput and 15 years as editor-in-chief of the National Catholic Register, praised the graduates during his address, encouraging them to stay the course on which Christendom placed them on as they go forth to “restore all things in Christ.”
“The proof of an education is the people it produces, and I’ve seen the impact of this college again and again and again over the decades of my own career,” stated Maier. “Simply put, Christendom College is a treasure—very rare in the academic world because, at its best, it produces whole, fully human beings grounded in something more than intellectual fashion. So, for the parents here today, thank you for the sacrifices you’ve made in giving this gift to the children you love. And for the
CHRISTENDOM COLLEGE IS A TREASURE—VERY RARE IN THE ACADEMIC WORLD BECAUSE, AT ITS BEST, IT PRODUCES WHOLE, FULLY HUMAN BEINGS GROUNDED IN SOMETHING MORE THAN
8. Salutatorian Bernadette Rodriguez presents a speech to her fellow classmates. 9. Dr. Gregory Townsend embraces his son Michael during the ceremony. 10. Valedictorian Catherine Thomas addresses the class of '25. 11. Director of Alumni Relations Vince Criste presents senior Aron Forthofer with the Student Achievement Award.
students, take a moment of pride today in the fact that all of you as graduates, whether you fully understand it yet or not, have the vocation and the ability to be extraordinary men and women in God’s service.”
After the address, Director of Alumni Relations Vince Criste presented the Student Achievement Award to Aron Forthofer in recognition for his many outstanding contributions to the college community. Throughout his four years, Forthofer was an inspiration on campus, serving as both sophomore and senior class president, working on the Student Activities Council, serving as both a lector and an altar server at Mass, and working tirelessly in multiple departments on campus. He exhibited unwavering care for the college’s student body, displaying “kindness and joy to all” and serving as a role model for “what it means to be a Christendom College student.”
Following the delivering of a record 130 Bachelor of Arts degrees, valedictorian Catherine Thomas provided the farewell
address for the Class of 2025. Thomas offered a moving tribute to her class, acknowledging the challenges that will lie ahead while also calling upon her classmates to spread truth, goodness, and beauty in a culture that desperately needs it.
“Over the past four years, our time here in the Blue Ridge Mountains has brought us closer to Christ,” said Thomas. “As we go out into the world, the goodness, truth, and beauty which have been so present here at Christendom will be more and more difficult to find. Secularism and even aggressive anti-Christian forces are widespread in our society, and the perpetual stream of negative media can make the future look bleak. However, our liberal education has prepared us to take on this secular world. We must spread the truth, goodness, and beauty, which we have experienced here at Christendom in order to restore all things in Christ. When this task seems impossible, we can rely on the foundation built here at Christendom. In the face of moral decay and degeneracy, the small red flame of the tabernacle candle will
always remain to sustain us. Armed with the truth of our faith, the goodness of our friendships, and the beauty which will save the world, let us go out into the world to spread the good news.”
Closing the commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dr. Harne gave his first charge as Christendom’s president to the graduating class. Dr. Harne urged the graduates to keep the faith in the days ahead, always turning and giving all to Christ as they step into their vocations.
Just a few moments later, the Class of 2025 looked towards the very same heavens as caps and tassels rained down upon them. Their time at Christendom was, officially, at an end. Hugs, laughter, and promises followed—to see each other again, and to pray for one another in the days to come.
When one chapter closes, another begins. As the Class of 2025 goes forth from the Shenandoah Valley, it does so armed with the education and the faith necessary to accomplish the mission of the college “to restore all things in Christ.” Their four years were a critical part of their journey, but they were also a stepping stone to a new chapter, one that promises to be even more exciting than the last.
12. The Scrivener Family. 13. The Criste Family. 14. The Cruz Family. 15-18. Graduates celebrate after Commencement. 19. The Briggs Family. 20. The McGuire Family.
130 Bachelor of Arts degrees were awarded to the members of the Class of 2025, including: Angel Aguayo-Aguilar, Paul Aguilar, Alexandra Altmanshofer, Ricardo Amaya Parra, Noah Anderson, Maureen Barrett, Andrew Beaulieu, Josie Belleville, Regina Bonvissuto, Lauren Bosack, Catherine Brezinsky, Natalie Briggs, Mary Buckner, Jude Burkett, Maximilian Buser, Anna Clark, Madelaine Clark, Miriam Cole, Sarah Connell, Sean Corcoran, Bernadette Criste, Anne Crnkovich, Joshua Cruz, James Cummings, Helen Davis, Alexander Dean, Giuliana DeFelice, John Dillon, Dermot Dolowy, Mary Doran, David Echaniz, Laura Eidem, Megan Ellis, Dinneen Evich, Michael Evich, Nora Farley, Angelina Fedoryka, David Foeckler, Aron Forthofer, Mary Fowler, Georgia Francis, Maria Fusco, Theresa Gabris, Derek Gilday, John Goedicke, Abigail Greca, John Gunthorpe, Juliette Halisky, Brendan Hichborn, Abigail Holmstedt, Margaret Howerton, Teresa Janaro, Lily Jones, Miranda Keller, Liam Kelly, Mary Kelly, Christopher Kleiber, William Kolesar, Claudia Kopeck, Andrew Krolick, Monica Kumon, Audrey Lademan, Monica LaFramboise, Mariam Lagano, Michael Lagarde, Stewart Lagarde III, Connor Lennon, Merideth Lilley, Michael Lindner, Daniel Lovelace, Luke Luckey, Suzanne Martin, Bridget McCaughey, Eibhilin McCloskey, Margaret McCourt, Mary McGuire, Catríona McKeon, Erin McLaughlin, Peter McMahon, Adrienne McShurley, Emily Meli, Thomas Miller, Kira Moore, Michael Moreno, Mary Noble, Catherine Nussio, Patrick Ohotnicky, Joseph Olbrych, Kaylee O’Neill, Colleen Pabst, Brian Pascoe, Blake Pearson, Meaghan Pierce, Maura Piroch, Jared Plasberg, Matthias Raes, Nicholas Reilly, Adam Rockwell Jr., Bernadette Rodriguez, Noah Rymer, Mary Sabados, Christopher Santschi, Colleen Scanlon, Elizabeth Scarchilli, Ana Schau, Geoffrey Scrivener, Hailey Sergent, Barbara Sexton, Hannah Simpson, Sarah Slaga, Damian Smith, Thomas Smith, Andrew Snyder, Samuel Sproule, Margaret Stahl, Thomas Stanford IV, Haley Steltz, Eleanor Sternfels, Charles Stevens, Brendan Summers, Catherine Thomas, Michael Townsend, John-Paul Tsakanikas, Jane Twyford, Christopher Usher, Sam Wade, Nicholas Ward, Olivia Wenzel, Teresa Louise Willard, and Monica Wingard. The college also awarded two Associate of Arts degrees to Theresa Byers and Samuel Francomb.
PHOTO ALBUM
1. The student-led Crusader Chamber Orchestra performed a classical concert in Old Chapel Hall for the community this spring.
2. The Political Science and Economics Department welcomed Russell Hittinger who offered a lecture to the faculty and students on Catholic social teaching.
3. Mystery Dinner Theater, written and performed by the senior class, was a great success, bringing in nearly $14,000 for the senior class gift, which will be a new Marian Grotto on campus.
4. One of the spring semester's Life On Tap events featured three current Christendom professors who spoke to the students about their work in the academic field.
5. The senior ladies processed into the chapel with roses for the Blessed Mother in May, with the youngest freshman lady adorning Our Lady's statue with a floral wreath for the college's annual May Crowning.
6. Students shared their musical talents for the college's traditional celebration on St. Patrick's Day.
7. Students participated in a special procession in honor of St. Joseph's Day, ending with a great Italian feast in the St. Lawrence Commons.
8. The Classical and Early Christian Studies Department welcomed Professor Jon Mikalson to campus, where he spoke to the community on "The Greek Religious Experience."
9. Spring Formal was held this year at Cloverdale Barn in Winchester, Virginia.
10. The college will greatly miss our dear senior athletes! We are proud of their hard work and achievements on and off the field these past years.
11. The college community joined together in praying for the unborn at the biannual Mega Shield event, led by Shield of Roses.
12. Professor Mike Brown led his popular trivia competition at the annual Giving Day party, held for local alumni at the Water Street Venue in Front Royal.
13.Seniors presented their thesis defenses to their professors and peers, culminating months of preparation to present their chosen topics.
14. The Christendom Players, directed by Liz Foeckler, brought a magical performance of Cinderella to the Christendom stage.
15. President Harne and artist Henry Wingate unveiled two new paintings at the Beauty and Truth Conference in June. Wingate completed portraits of Pope St. Gregory the Great and St. Cecilia to be installed in the choir loft of Christ the King Chapel.
chasing the call
ONE GRADUATE’S JOURNEY FROM ATHEIST TO SOLDIER TO MISSIONARY
BY LIANNA YOUNGMAN
Samuel Sproule is not one to shy away from a challenge. His journey—from atheist to soldier to Christendom graduate to FOCUS missionary—has been one of unexpected moments, determination, and profound grace.
Sproule grew up in a non-religious family in California. As a teenager, he began questioning moral codes. He had an idea of what virtue was and considered his father an admirable example of what virtue meant. However, Sproule kept wondering what else there was to virtue, to morality, and to life. He listened to an inner voice that asked where it could all lead.
“I was always looking,” Sproule says. “I was really interested in the big questions, like death, and life, and how you live life and all these things.”
These questions about morality grew stronger, and he felt increasingly compelled to search for answers.
“I was like, there’s answers in life. Truth exists,” Sproule says. “I think the Holy Spirit was guiding me.”
This curiosity led Sproule, in the quarantined summer of 2020, to begin a committed search for answers. Religion claimed to know what life and morality meant, so that is where he would look. With only a computer and a persistent
desire to know more, Sproule began researching religions. He rigorously compared, cross-referenced, and analyzed religions of all kinds. As he had no prior knowledge of Christianity or any other religion, he researched them all. He told no one about his project, and spent a long, determined summer wading through veritable tidal waves of online sources.
Eventually, Sproule stumbled upon a verse that would change his life, James 1:12: “Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.”
He researched the source of this quotation and was shocked to learn it was a Bible verse. Previously, Sproule hadn’t thought that there was much to the Bible, but this verse made him think again.
Sproule began to look into the Bible, starting with the Epistles and eventually the whole New Testament. He concluded that the Bible was valuable as a source of wisdom and was surprised to discover that many of his own conclusions of morality were affirmed in its pages. A whole book of wisdom, history, and knowledge—persisting through millennia— opened new worlds of research for him.
Right: Sproule during his time at West Point. Above, top to bottom: Sproule smiles for a photo on his graduation day; Sproule and his mother enjoy the graduation dinner together; Sproule and fellow classmates join the Shield of Roses group each Saturday in praying outside an abortion clinic in Northern Virginia.
The deeper Sproule dove, the more he began to be drawn to the historical figure of Jesus, though he wasn’t certain about God’s existence or Jesus’ divinity.
“My next big shift,” Sproule says, “was realizing Jesus was a historical person. I didn’t think He was divine yet, but He must be the greatest man who ever lived, because He did all this. He had created this moral system, which is perfect. And I admired him more than anybody else.”
His research took him closer and closer to Christianity, and he found himself repeatedly circling Catholicism.
“It seemed to me that the Catholic Church was the living church,” Sproule says. “I started focusing more on studying it, then I started praying the Rosary, too, every day. I turned 18 around that time, and by then, I definitely had faith.”
Eventually, Sproule had compiled his entire summer of research into a decision: he would attend a Catholic Mass. As soon as he received his driver's license, he snuck out early to attend the earliest Mass he could find. He was nervous and unsure of what would happen. As it
turned out, this experience would be the final clincher for Sproule.
“I didn’t really know what the Mass was, really,” Sproule says. “I stayed in the back and watched. But I felt a presence of God there. And I felt, yeah, I want this.”
Sproule found the priest afterward and told him he wanted to be Catholic. The priest expressed support—and then surprise when Sproule introduced himself. That very parish had been founded by a priest named Father Sproule. Sam Sproule had never met or heard of anyone with his last name outside of his family. And yet, here he was, in a church that had been started by a Sproule.
Bolstered by this encouragement, Sproule completed RCIA and entered into the Catholic Church the following Easter Saturday.
But this whirlwind was far from over. After graduating high school, Sproule entered the United States Military Academy at West Point—a highly difficult accomplishment. However, his time there was marked by moral questions, and he felt called to leave. But where to go?
Sproule decided he wanted to attend a Catholic college. Returning to his tried-and-true method that started his journey—intensive research—Sproule turned once again to his computer.
“I found the Newman Guide. I looked at every single school in the Newman Guide and compared all of them, side by side,” Sproule says.
He spent weeks on this project, whittling his list down until there was one left: Christendom College.
Sproule recalls, “I said to myself, I think Christendom’s the best one. So that is the only one I’m going to apply to—because I want the best one.”
He was accepted and moved on to the next major change in his life.
Sproule describes his first semester at Christendom as a bit of an adjustment. He was navigating a new place, academic challenges, spiritual growth, and new friendships, and it all took a bit to settle in. Despite this, he quickly became enamored with the academics. After originally learning Catholicism only through internet research, debates, and YouTube videos, he relished the chance to attend classes about the questions he had been asking all his life.
“Christendom really helped me with looking at the faith in a true way, instead of a distorted way,” Sproule says. “It was really helpful for me. I had a lot of growth in that time.”
Sproule joined fellow classmates and Christendom staff on a mission trip to Honduras in Spring 2025.
I DIDN’T REALLY KNOW WHAT THE MASS WAS. I STAYED IN THE BACK AND WATCHED. BUT I FELT A PRESENCE OF GOD THERE. AND I FELT, YEAH, I WANT THIS.
One thing especially he credits as helping him in his Christendom life is joining the Legion of Mary.
Christendom’s website describes the Legion of Mary as a “worldwide organization of the lay apostolate founded nearly a hundred years ago. Students in the Legion seek to take the light of faith which they receive at Christendom to the wider world. They do so by accepting a routine of prayer and apostolic works, thus deepening their faith while bringing it to others.”
This club helped deepen his faith and commitment and gave him more ways to do what he was realizing he truly loved: evangelization. He became president of the Legion of Mary, showcasing his skills in leadership, discipline, and evangelization. He also became the president of the Shield of Roses prolife club: gathering and leading students to pray peacefully outside abortion centers on Saturday mornings. These ventures sharpened a desire in Sproule to do difficult things for Christ.
He set challenges for himself to accomplish. He took up long-distance running and ran a 100-mile ultramarathon in a desire to do hard things. He wrote an article in the studentrun magazine Metanoia (metanoia-magazine.com/salt-to-the-
strangers/) about how he dedicated his summer to talking to strangers. Bearing a sign that read “Free Listening”, Sproule would invite strangers to talk to him, connect, and tell their story to a friendly and intentional ear. He twice attended the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., listening to the stories of marchers and then sharing his own. He has talked to hundreds of strangers since then. He walked part of the Camino with a Christendom group and talked to as many people as he could.
“I tried to talk to 20 people a day,” Sproule recalls. “I did that for the whole Camino trip. Sometimes it would take me five hours to do that. So, I adjusted a rule. If I hit four hours a day talking to people, I would count that as good.”
Sproule found amazing meaning in listening to strangers. He realized that so many people in life felt unheard, uncared for, and unloved. By taking the time to give a friendly ear, even just for a moment, he found that the connection he would make with the person was remarkable.
This realization is what drives him forward in his goal to evangelize. As he grew up secular, he feels called to reach to people in similar settings. He continues:
“I’ve talked to so many strangers and I saw how they could be helped by this stuff and how much people are missing in their lives and how easily they could be helped if you could give them the right things. People just need the chance."
With Sproule’s dedication of connection, evangelization, and listening, it’s no surprise that he plans to pursue missionary work after graduation, having been accepted as a FOCUS missionary, where he will travel to different college campuses and continue in his mission to listen, to serve, and to evangelize.
He sees his liberal arts education as an invaluable tool in this new journey, saying:
“I’ve come to value the education so much more, even now. I can look back and see how much I gain by it and connecting all these disciplines together—it’s just so huge."
Sproule made an indelible mark on campus as a student, friend, and leader. He graduated on May 17, 2025, with a major in Philosophy, eager to begin his work with FOCUS—and to keep listening to the stories of those around him, as well as to the voice that has been guiding him all his life.
His unexpected journey remains one covered in providence. From a young man searching for truth, to a military academy soldier, to a missionary for Christ, Samuel Sproule remains ready and willing for whatever lies ahead.
The Assumption window, donated by Bud and Mary Lou Flocchini, Christ the King Chapel.
faith in action
THE FLOCCHINIS' LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO CATHOLIC EDUCATION AND SERVICE
For many of the faithful, there is a quiet but persistent call—to help build the kingdom of heaven in whatever way they can. For Bud and Mary Lou Flocchini, that call has shaped nearly 70 years of marriage, defined by unwavering faith, generous service, and a deep commitment to the Church.
BY RILEY LANE
Cradle Catholics with a deep love for the Church, Bud and Mary Lou have poured their time, treasure, and prayers into countless lives. One enduring legacy of their faith is the Assumption window they dedicated in Christendom College’s Christ the King Chapel—a symbol of their belief in beauty as a path to God.
Their devotion to the Blessed Mother deepened after a Marian pilgrimage that transformed their home into a spiritual hub. Every Wednesday since, they’ve hosted a prayer group, gathering friends and neighbors to foster Catholic fellowship and keep Our Lady at the heart of their lives.
That same Marian devotion inspired their support for Christendom College, which they see as vital to renewing Catholic education in America. They first discovered the college through a publication spotlighting institutions that truly live their Catholic identity. Drawn to its mission to “restore all things in Christ,” they became steadfast supporters more than 25 years ago—and haven’t looked back.
For Bud, that support is deeply personal. “If someone’s brought up in the Catholic Faith, they should be able to get a college education that fosters their faith," he says. "So many Catholic schools have strayed from that mission.”
At Christendom, he found something different. Unlike many colleges where students often drift from their faith, Christendom weaves it into everything: daily Mass, professors
who take the Oath of Fidelity, and a culture of prayer and service.
“Christendom is doing a great job,” Bud says. “A college does its job when it keeps a Catholic presence— offering Mass, Adoration, and prayer groups for students.”
Bud speaks from experience. His own time at a Catholic college shaped his life and career. “The classical education I received was invaluable. The Catholic presence gave me a good start in life,” he reflects.
That solid foundation helped him grow his father’s business, Sierra Meat & Seafood Company, into a flourishing enterprise that now includes a 55,000-acre bison ranch in Wyoming. But through it all, faith remained his compass.
“Being Catholic makes it easier to take life’s ups and downs,” Bud shares. “It gives the reasoning behind why we should be helping others—and provides the joy in serving.”
Because Christendom does not accept federal funding, donors like the Flocchinis are essential to keeping tuition affordable without compromising on faith. They’re helping make it possible for students to spend these formative years immersed in truth, joy, and purpose.
And that spirit—the spirit of joyful service—is what Bud and Mary Lou hope to pass on. Their generosity helps form priests, religious, faithful families, and Catholic leaders who carry the light of Christ into the world. To ensure that future, the Flocchinis established a foundation that will support Christendom long after they’re gone.
Through their faith, vision, and love, Bud and Mary Lou are quietly helping to rebuild the culture—one step at a time.
Christendom Launches Free Online Learning Platform and Course
Becoming a Saint
The very idea behind Christendom College has always been the same: to help form laypeople so that they can go out into every level of society and impact it for the better. Now, that idea is spreading further than ever before, thanks to the launch of Christendom’s new online learning platform.
The new website, which is available now, offers free online courses to help people across the world deepen their Catholic Faith and share the truth with others. Drawing from the riches of the Catholic intellectual tradition and taught by Christendom’s outstanding faculty, the online learning platform features a variety of enlightening courses, including “Becoming a Saint: Wisdom from Aquinas to Grow in Virtue.”
BY ZACH SMITH
“Here at Christendom, we believe deeply in the power of truth to transform lives through a robust education,” says George A. Harne, Ph.D., President of Christendom College. “With this new platform, we can reach more minds and souls than ever before with the beauty of the Catholic intellectual tradition. It is my prayer that this new endeavor will bear much good fruit for our nation, the Church, and greater society.”
Accessible on desktop and mobile devices, the new platform lets learners engage with courses at their own pace as they deepen their faith and learn to address today’s critical issues. The platform is replete with many helpful features,
This initiative reflects the college’s longstanding mission to form lay Catholics in the truths of faith and reason and equip them to live out the truth with confidence and clarity. These online courses will give even more people the valuable opportunity to deepen their knowledge and grow in holiness—at no cost.
including quizzes to help people interact deeply with the material, audio-only settings to enable listening while driving, and course completion certificates as well.
The platform launches with a brand-new course titled “Becoming a Saint: Wisdom from Aquinas to Grow in Virtue,” taught by Christendom theology professor and Academic Dean Dr. Andrew Whitmore. Drawing on the rich spiritual tradition of the Church, the course explores what sainthood truly means and offers practical steps for growing in holiness in today’s world.
"Sainthood isn't just a calling for the few—God calls each of us to become saints,” says Dr. Whitmore. “This course is about understanding that call and learning how to respond to it with your whole life.”
Intended to help people everywhere come to better know and love the Catholic Faith, the online platform features other
important courses, including “The Principles of Catholic Bioethics,” “Understanding Human Nature,” “Christ: The Center of History,” “Fundamentals of the New Testament,” and many more.
The launch of this platform marks a new chapter in Christendom’s outreach to the broader Catholic community. With more courses already in development, the college plans to offer a growing library of content that supports Catholics in every walk of life, offering accessible and robust opportunities to learn.
online.christendom.edu
In the Classroom
HIGHLIGHTING A COURSE FROM OUR RICH CURRICULUM
BY DR. WILLIAM HANNEGAN PHILOSOPHY 491: PHILOSOPHY OF BIOLOGY
Students at Christendom receive a strong foundation in the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas. They learn his approach to metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and more. One important aspect of St. Thomas’ thought is his understanding of living organisms. His overall picture of the living world is beautiful and compelling. But is it true? Is it compatible with contemporary biology? Has it been overturned by modern philosophy?
In the Fall of 2024, I introduced a new course that seeks to answer these questions: the Philosophy of Biology. This course puts Thomistic philosophy of organic nature into dialogue with contemporary philosophy of biology and contemporary empirical science. In the course, we cover such topics as the nature of life; the relationship of philosophy to empirical biology; the question of whether biology can be reduced to physics; how to define species; philosophical questions raised by the theory of evolution; and the concept of biological function. We consider
ways that empirical biology can support and/or challenge Thomistic philosophy. For example, recent developments in systems biology may give support to the Thomistic concepts of substantial form, accidental form, and matter. We also consider ways Thomistic philosophy of biology can contribute to contemporary debates in mainstream philosophy of biology. One such debate is over how to understand the concept of function. What does it mean to say that eye has the function of seeing, or the heart the function of pumping blood? Contemporary philosophers have a difficult time with these questions. Thomistic philosophy, by contrast, can offer a successful analysis of function.
Students in Philosophy of Biology learn that, far from being incompatible with contemporary biology or overturned by modern philosophy, the Thomistic understanding of the living world remains plausible and relevant.
Dr. William Hannegan
CLASSMATES YOUR PAPER & INK ALUMNI
1980s & 1990s
Mary Walsh ’88 recently contributed an essay on Pope St. John Paul II to the book Ten Great Speeches Against Communism , published by the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. Copies are available at https://tinyurl.com/4j7zcttv.
In March, a number of alumni traveled to Portugal and Spain for the annual Christendom Alumni & Friends pilgrimage. Pictured: Pilgrimage chaplain Fr. Philip Briggs ’13, Amanda (née Farinholt) McFadden ’93, Tom McFadden ’90, Diana (née Weyrich) Pascoe ’88, Craig Pascoe, Nancy (née Popik) Briggs ’82, Doug Briggs ’83, Michelle (née Miller) Bodoh ’93, and Greg Bodoh ’94. 1
Mary Anne (née Murray) O’Hare, ’85, is one of the founders of St. Athanasius, Northern Colorado’s new Catholic Classical Co-Op high school. To connect with Mary Anne please email her at StAthanasiuscc@gmail.com.
2000s
Andrew Antonio ’01 was recently promoted to the Director of Industry Engagement for Purdue University Polytechnic Institute. He will be tasked with expanding collaboration internally with Purdue's Office of Industry Partnership and externally with corporations that want to engage with the Polytechnic Institute holistically across multiple departments, labs, and centers.
Jessica (née Runge) Hickey ’00 started a children's catechesis on Bl.
SOCIAL NETWORK
Carlo Acutis, (Carlo’s Highway to Heaven VBS, found at https://payhip. com/CarlosHighwaytoHeavenVBS). She lives in Lafayette, Indiana, and works as Director of Catechesis at St. Boniface Church.
Andrew Bodoh ’07 released a new book, Love Fiercely: Lessons from the Dad of a Special Needs Daughter. Copies are now available on Amazon, Kindle, Audible and iTunes. 2
2010–15
Angela Greenwalt (née Swagler) ’12 accepted a position as an in-house counsel trial attorney for Allstate Insurance Company.
Morgan (née Kavanagh) '14 and Tim Beer ’13 welcomed babies #5 and #6, twin girls Georgia Clare and Caroline Grace, on March 30, 2025. 3
2016-19
John and Sydney (née Dominguez) Madigan ’18 welcomed Thomas Lee on Holy Thursday 2025; he was baptized on Easter Sunday. 4
Daniel and Maggie (née Golden) Bender ’18 welcomed daughter, Rachel, on March 20, 2025. Maggie also obtained her RN license and Trauma Certification and works in a Neuro/Trauma ICU in Winchester, Virginia. 5
Enrique and Rachel (née Hoover) Canto ’17 welcomed their firstborn, Rafael, in November 2024. 6
Nicole Feldman ’19 and Michael Castellan were married on February 1, 2025, at St. Rita’s Church in Alexandria, Virginia. 7
Sean and Mary (née McLaughlin) Scanlon ’19 welcomed Sean Patrick on May 29. He is well loved by his older sisters, Saoirse and Elaine. 8
2020s
Sgt. Adam Rockwell ’25 served as Squad Leader for the 377th Theater Sustainment Command team and took second place in the U.S. Army Reserve Best Squad Competition at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, on May 20, 2025. 9
Patrick Ohotnicky ’25 and Kaylee O'Neill ’25 were engaged on March 21, 2025, and will be getting married January 3, 2026.
George ’22 and Jenna (nèe Williams) ’21 Schuberg joyfully welcomed their second daughter, Bridget Rose, on April 1, 2025. 10
Nathaniel Andres ’24 and Mary Mattus ’24 were engaged on March 29 and plan on getting married in the summer of 2026. 11
Caleb and Anna (née Enyeart) Clark ’25 were married on July 20, 2024, in Castle Rock, Washington. They are expecting a new addition to their family in October 2025. 12
Daniel Michonski ’24 and Allie D'Amore were engaged in January 2025. 13
Peter and Mary-Claire (née Hibl) Haislmaier ’21 welcomed their second daughter, Lydia Claire, in October. 14
Juliana Weber ’25 was hired as Assistant Director of St. Ambrose Summer Camp on May 19, 2025.
Jacob ’21 and Annabella (née
Christensen) Altmanshofer ’21 welcomed Hugh Ignatius on February 28, 2025 . 15
Caroline (née Connell) ’23 and Matteo Stocco ’23 welcomed Benedict Michael on February 24, 2025. 16
James Cummings ’25 and Annie Crnkovich ’25 were engaged on January 19, 2025, and will be married in September 2025. 17
Julia Seeley ’23 graduated with her Master's in Mental Health Counseling on May 10, 2025.
Curtis and Abigail (née Thomas) Kasinski ’21 welcomed Kilian James on March 10, 2025. 18
Jake ’23 and Madigan (née Gannon) Stevens ’23 welcomed Elliot Frassati on May 9, 2025. 19
Zach ’24 and Anna (née Williams) Durgin ’24 welcomed John Joseph on March 28, 2025. 20
Sam Sproule ’25 and Madeleine Clark ’26 were engaged on May 20, 2025.
Compiled by the Alumni Relations Office.
8TH ANNUAL GIVING DAY REACHES 100% OF STRETCH PARTICIPATION GOAL
$162,385 RAISED
The 8th annual Giving day was held on April 29, 2025, and raised more than $162,385 from 779 gifts for The Carroll Fund. This year, in addition to the usual 24-hour giving event, the Giving Day team hosted two offsite parties (2 Silos, Manassas, Virginia, and Calumet Island, Front Royal, Virginia) to help celebrate and engage with alumni. The Front Royal venue hosted a live trivia event, hosted by Professor Mike Brown, while simultaneously live streaming the trivia night for all alumni to enjoy. More than 90 alumni and members of the class of 2025 attended the Front Royal event, enjoying a fun evening of trivia; outdoor games; and good food, drinks, and conversation. Thanks to the efforts of the Senior Philanthropy Board, 59% of the Class of 2025 made a gift back to the college and 63% of these gifts were recurring. The Carroll Fund was established by the college to support students in the five critical areas of financial aid, athletics, career services, counseling and spiritual development, and faculty/staff support.
OCTOBER 3–5
FEATURING CLASS REUNIONS FOR 1985, 1995, 2005, AND 2015 Email your most updated contact info to classmates@christendom.edu to stay updated about Homecoming plans.
779 GIFTS RECEIVED
CALLING ALL ALUMNI
COMPLETE YOUR CHRISTENDOM ALUMNI SURVEY TODAY.
Alumni input is crucial for keeping Christendom rooted in our mission, while charting a course for the future.
CHRISTENDOM.EDU/ALUMNISURVEY
The 2025 Senior Philanthropy Board was comprised of 23 dedicated seniors who worked hard to educate their classmates on the benefits of a Christendom education while fostering an attitude of gratitude on campus. Congratulations to the members of the Senior Philanthropy Board, and thank you for your dedication and service to the college.
OMNIA IN CHRISTO
THE REALITY OF MATHEMATICAL BEAUTY
BY DR. DOUGLAS DAILEY
Does mathematics have anything to do with reality? On its face, the question may seem absurd. What other branch of knowledge is so ubiquitous in modern day applications? However, it is in fact a serious question at the heart of the philosophy of mathematics in the twentieth century.
The roots of the question can be traced back to Euclid’s Elements. The most important aspect of this work is Euclid’s use of the axiomatic method. All of the theorems in the Elements work off of a beginning list of assumptions known as axioms. The geometric theorems in the Elements are then proven using these axioms.
In the nineteenth century, as mathematicians began to survey their subject with a more critical eye, certain aspects of Euclid’s proofs came under scrutiny. For instance, Euclid sometimes assumes something which he had not explicitly enunciated as an axiom. Other times, a proof of a theorem would be valid only if the diagram accompanying the proof were drawn in the specific manner that Euclid had used.
To be sure, nobody thought that the theorems in Euclid’s Elements were false or unprovable. Some things just needed to be clarified. Seeking to establish Euclidean geometry on firm ground, German mathematician David Hilbert published Foundations of Geometry in 1899. In this book, Hilbert supplied all of the tacit assumptions Euclid made that allowed for Euclidean geometry to proceed without logical gaps. Mathematicians hailed Hilbert’s work as a triumph of mathematical formalism, a system of verifying mathematical theorems by defined logical rules from a set of axioms and definitions.
Formalism allows for rigorous precision in proving mathematical theorems, and its methodology remains the gold standard in advanced mathematics. While it may
not sound all that different from Euclid’s axiomatic method, Hilbert’s formalism differs in two important aspects: the use of primitive “undefined” terms and the treatment of axioms. For example, whereas Euclid defines a point as “that which has no part,” Hilbert leaves “point” entirely undefined in order to avoid the infinite regress of defining the terms by which other terms were defined. (What is the precise meaning of “part” in Euclid’s definition of “point”?) Without a definition, the terms are arbitrary. Hilbert once glibly remarked that he should be able to substitute in the terms “table,” “chair,” and “beer mug” for “point,” “line,” and “plane” and proceed with his deductions satisfactorily.
Moreover, the criterion for the acceptability of axioms changed. Until formalism, axioms were intuitive, objectively true statements. With formalism, the axioms, like the undefined terms, are arbitrarily chosen so long as it is impossible to derive a logical contradiction from them. This criterion alone guarantees the concepts’ mathematical existence and truth. Thus, mathematical formalism, with its rules of inference and arbitrary terms and assumptions, has been compared to playing a meaningless game of “symbol pushing.”
To be fair, Hilbert still believed that mathematics was inherently meaningful. But if the terms or assumptions of mathematics are arbitrary and meaningless, does mathematics have anything to say about reality itself? In the formalist system, as one goes further toward “formal” truth, mathematics may gain greatly
Taken from the college’s motto, “Instaurare Omnia in Christo,” this section features an essay or excerpt from a recent paper or talk by one of Christendom’s distinguished faculty.
in generality and rigor, but it ultimately does so at the price of meaning.
This strictly formalist view contradicts the experience of mathematics as objective, meaningful, and beautiful. Yes, beautiful. Anyone who has struggled long with a mathematical argument only to have all obstacles stripped away in a moment of penetrating insight is familiar with this beauty. When the pieces of the argument fit together in this harmonious way, one is led to assert the truth and reality of the solution.
The philosopher of science Michael Polanyi once said that it is mathematics’ intellectual beauty that betokens its fundamental reality. This passion for intellectual beauty drives mathematicians in their search for knowledge. As an example, it was the beauty of the heliocentric model of the solar system and its mathematical formulation that led Kepler and Galileo to assert with confidence its validity.
Joseph Ratzinger, in discussing the Platonic heritage of these scientists, said that their working assumption was that the world is mathematically structured and “imbued with rationality that can be traced out and copied by our reason.”1 This intelligibility is a gratuitous gift that enables man to use the fullness of his capacity to know objective truth. That mathematics can be used in this way intimates its ultimate reality and meaningfulness. But its reality also points beyond itself to the “mathematician” responsible for it. As Ratzinger says:
“[T]he man who seeks a view of the whole will have to say: In the world, we find present, without doubt, objective mathematics; but we also find equally present in the world…unexplained wonders of beauty…so that he is bound to say that the mathematician responsible for these events has displayed an unparalleled degree of creative imagination.”2
Dr. Douglas Dailey is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Natural Science.
1. Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Truth and Tolerance, trans. Henry Taylor (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2004), 157.
2. Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Introduction to Christianity, trans. J.R. Foster and Michael J. Miller (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2004), 155.
BECOMING A SAINT
Wisdom from Aquinas to Grow in Virtue
WITH DR. ANDREW WHITMORE
Christendom College’s newest free course Becoming a Saint: Wisdom from Aquinas to Grow in Virtue helps you answer the call to sainthood and start the path to holiness now.
Embark on an enlightening odyssey into saintly virtue, inspired by the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas and taught by author and theologian Dr. Andrew Whitmore. Don’t put off your journey to sainthood any longer. You can take the next step now: access this pivotal course now.
