Instaurare | Winter 2004 by Christendom College

NSTAURARE

The Christendom College Update Instaurare (vt. to restore, strengthen, renew)

December 2004 Volume XII, Number IV

INSIDE THIS ISSUE . . . Unifying Faith and Reason in Concrete Form – page 2

Homecoming 2004 page 6

The Year of the Eucharist page 7

Football Game Raises Flags page 8

Waldstein Explains Holy Father’s Philosophy – page 3 Patrick Madrid Refutes Relativism – page 3 Praying to Stop Abortion in America – page 6 Christendom Chosen by College Guide – page 7

College Dedicates St. John the Evangelist Library

Christendom College began a new era in its twenty-seven year history with the opening of the splendid St. John the Evangelist Library on October 9. The new library will serve as the academic center of the campus, and an embodiment of the College’s commitment to the vision and nobility of Catholic education. Though the lower level of the library, which houses four classrooms, had been in use since the beginning of the semester, the remaining floors had been closed to students while Petrine Construction’s team put the finishing touches on its monumental work. The dedication ceremony also served as the official opening of the two upper floors. His Excellency Edwin F. O’Brien, Archbishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, formally blessed and dedicated the library before a crowd of over 400 friends, alumni, and benefactors. Prior to the blessing, His Excellency was the main celebrant at the Mass of Thanksgiving in the Chapel of Christ the King. Donna F. Bethell, Christendom’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, officially opened the library when she cut the ribbon in front of the main door. Guests were then treated to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as they toured the library and chatted with friends. The formal program for the evening began with Board Chairman Bethell’s reading of a congratulatory letter from President George W. Bush, in which he said that the library “reflects your college’s

The 40,000 sq. ft. St. John the Evangelist Library was blessed and dedicated on October 9. The $7.2 million library was funded by The Campaign for Christendom.

commitment to higher education and your faith,” and he commended the faculty and administration for helping form the minds of future Americans. Frank O’Reilly, President of Petrine Construction and an alumnus of the College, made some remarks about the building of the library. The O’Reilly imprint has been on Christendom’s library since the College’s founding. The original College library was named for Mr. O’Reilly’s father, Dr. Sean O’Reilly, who was a founding board and faculty member of

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the College and who died in 1982.

Following O’Reilly’s talk, College President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell acknowledged the presence of Mrs. Anne O’Reilly, the widow of Sean O’Reilly, and College Founding President Dr. Warren Carroll and his wife Anne. Dr. O’Donnell then discussed the historic nature of the library and the contributions made to it by so many different people, including the College’s benefactors (for text see page two of this issue).

Christendom’s own Dr. Kurt Poterack and fellow musicians then performed an original orchestra piece, composed for the dedication and directed by Dr. Poterack. The evening concluded with a magnificent fireworks display, and the singing of the Salve Regina.

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INSTAURARE, December 2004

Faith and Reason United in Library

Faith is the door through which we enter the supernatural order. It opens into heaven. It tells us “we have not here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come.” Abbot Chapman, Spiritual Letters Tonight we celebrate this noble edifice which was brought into existence by faith – faith in almighty God; faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; and faith in one another, united in the bond of supernatural charity. Tonight we gather together Timothy T. O’Donnell, STD, KGCHS once again the tribe, the great tribe of Christendom here within this new library. And what a glorious time for a dedication. Our Holy Father has always had a deep love of history, tradition, and culture. He is always speaking of the importance of time and the need to redeem our time. What a stellar moment this is to dedicate this building which symbolizes the power and beauty of our academic program within the glorious magna traditio of Catholic higher education. Tonight, in the year of Our Lord 2004, we are participating in the vigil of the solemn opening of the Year of the Holy Eucharist. Pope John Paul II has gathered the faithful in the Eternal City for a special commemorative event as the international Eucharistic Congress gathers in Guadalajara, Mexico, in an effort to help us all “start afresh from Christ.” This is a great hope which springs from the heart of our courageous pontiff. In exactly one week our gloriously reigning Pope John Paul II will also finish his 26th year at the helm of the barque of Peter. His pontificate is now the second longest in history. As he enters into the 27th year of his pontificate, it is our intention to honor him with this building. This Pope’s life and teaching, especially Fides et Ratio, inspired this project as a symbol of our academic program. We also, of course, are now in October, the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary of our Blessed Mother. And just two days ago we recalled the glorious naval victory of Lepanto. Today is also the feast of St. Denis and his companions – the Priest Rusticus, and the Deacon Eleutherius. These heroes of Christendom were sent from Rome to evangelize Gaul by Pope St. Fabius I. (This pope, interestingly enough, was selected to be pontiff due to an intriguing incident recorded in Eusebius; a white dove landed on

Christendom College’s

High School Summer Program For Rising High School Seniors

Spend two weeks in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, immersed in an authentic Catholic environment, learning about our Catholic faith and culture. Two sessions offered: June 19-July 1 & July 10-July 23 $775 (tuition, books, activities, room & board) Log on to www.christendom.edu for more information or call 800-877-5456.

his head during the conclave! The Italians, perceiving the sign, responded with their characteristic enthusiasm and elected him sovereign pontiff.) St. Denis and his companions successfully evangelized the ancient Celtic city which had been Romanized as Lutetia Parisiorum (Lutetia of the Parisii) and which became the beautiful City of Lights – Paris. They were so successful in converting numerous souls to the Faith that the pagan priests in the area grew jealous and had the Roman governor arrest them. These heroes of our Faith were scourged and imprisoned, and the Roman governor had them racked, burned, thrown to wild beasts, and finally beheaded. Their faith, heroism and bloody sacrifice led to the triumph of the Catholic Faith in what was to become the eldest daughter of the Church. It is also the feast of an Italian saint named after St. John the Apostle, St. John Leonardi, who was a contemporary of St. Philip Neri. St. John Leonardi helped to establish the Collegio propaganda in Rome which became the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. How fitting that the witness of St. Denis as a martyr and the fervent work of St. John Leonardi point to the essential work of our academic mission in helping to contribute to the new springtime and the new evangelization by seeking “to restore all things in Christ.” In addition to the convergence of all these spiritual factors, as Fr. Denis Donahue reminded me on our recent trip to Ireland, it was on this date, October 9, 1845, that the holy Passionist priest Blessed Dominic Barberi formally received the great John Henry Newman into the one, holy, Catholic, apostolic and Roman Church. This man of towering intellect and deep faith would have rejoiced in John Paul II’s encyclical Fides et Ratio. In his brilliant work, Idea of a University, he wrote “right reason, that is reason rightly exercised, leads the mind to the Catholic Faith, and plants it there, and teaches it in all its religious speculations to act under its guidance.” Our St. John the Evangelist Library, named after the beloved disciple in memory of the late Dr. Sean O’Reilly, symbolically manifests the Catholic confidence in the union of faith and reason in its very architecture. Recalling the teaching of the first Vatican Council, that there can be no real conflict between faith and reason, we embrace this great truth with a deep sense of joy and gratitude. Contrary to what the world thinks, the Church has had a key role in preserving sound reason, particularly by ensuring that faith has a proper role to play. As G.K. Chesterton wrote in his masterpiece The Everlasting Man “simple secularists still talk as if the Church had introduced a sort of schism between reason and religion. The truth is that the Church was actually the first thing that ever tried to combine reason and religion.” This union has been found throughout our Catholic tradition and has been most beautifully epitomized in the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas, the angelic doctor. The octagon, or rotunda (symbolizing faith) deliberately precedes the rectangle (which symbolizes reason) and intersects with it. For as the great St. Augustine, the doctor of grace, wrote, “faith opens the door to understanding, unbelief closes it.” (St. Augustine, Letter #137, line 5). And if you would allow one brief word about our new patron, St. John the Beloved, or as the Greeks would call him, St. John the Theologian, I would like to reflect briefly upon him. In the Book of Proverbs we read a verse which the Church as teacher applies to Eternal Wisdom, “Deliciae meae esse cum filiis hominum” – “My delights are to be with the children of men.” Who could believe that the Eternal Word, living in the bosom of the Father, possessing every perfection, complete in every way, infinitely full of life, possessing every beatitude (for as St. John tells us Deus erat Verbum – “the Word was God.”), who could believe that He could really say such a thing! “My delights are to be with the children of men.” St. John,

more than any other evangelist, heralds the central truth of our Faith – the Incarnation. As our beloved founding president Dr. Warren Carroll is fond of saying “Truth exists. The Incarnation happened.” It is truly a thing to marvel at, a thing stupendous, or seemingly, a piece of news too good to be true. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, St. John tells us et Verbum caro factum est et habitavit in nobis – “and the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us.” The Eternal Son, the everlasting Word of God dwells with us! Is this joy not revealed in the favorite title which he takes for himself, “the Son of Man.” Our Lord preferred this title over all other titles. How He rejoices in being with us. Tonight with St. John, St. Denis and all the Saints let us rejoice for he is with us and incredibly “His delights are to be with the children of men.” Thank you all for being here. Thank you for all the hard work and sacrifice which has made this building possible, and God bless you all. Dr. O’Donnell delivered the above address at the Library Dedication on October 9, 2004.

Fall 2004 Scholarships Christendom College is pleased to announce that the following undergraduate students have been awarded the following full or partial scholarships: St. Catherine of Siena Scholarship Anna Kummer William J. Casey Memorial Scholarship Katelin Beer, Robert Quartararo, Tom Williams Alumni Scholarship Mary Lademan, Clare O’Reilly Alex Scrivener, Tom Williams Patrick J. Duffy Scholarship in Classical Studies Michael McSheffrey St. Bernard Classics Scholarship* Emma Fritcher John G. Miles Memorial Scholarship John Jalsevac George and Mary Creed Scholarship Laura Shrader Kline Endowment Sean Vieira David T. Ricks Scholarship Daniel Curtin Padre Pio Memorial Scholarship Daniel Gutschke Sacred Heart Scholarship Nicole Miller Hans and Margaret Wend Scholarship Meredith Hagan Harold W. Welch Memorial Scholarship Eleanor Ampis, Sarah Daley Valary and Howard Morrison Scholarship Andrea Hichborn Marie O’Donohue Memorial Scholarship Robert Lancaster, Ryan Ostendorf Benjamin F. Homan Memorial Scholarship Daniel Henson Mary F. Doyle Memorial Scholarship Andrew Stine Fr. James Cowan Scholarship Meghan Bellar, Sophie Coy, Amy Germann, Meredith Wilson

INSTAURARE, December 2004

Waldstein Explains Philosophical Thought of Pope John Paul II

Dr. Michael Waldstein delivered a lecture entitled “John Paul II: A Thomist rooted in St. John of the Cross” at Christendom College on September 27 as part of the College’s Major Speakers Program.

To explain his thesis that John Paul II’s teachings on love and marriage are based on the principles of St. Thomas, Waldstein quoted extensively from the Pope’s book Love and Responsibility, showing that the Holy Father unequivocally affirms the traditional understanding of marriage in terms of its primary natural end, the procreation and education of children. “In fact” noted Waldstein, “I am not aware of a single philosophical or theological disagreement between John Paul II and St. Thomas, except for the Immaculate Conception.” Turning to the second main point of his lecture, Waldstein explained that the personalism of John Paul II is not only not new, but rather is rooted in St. John of the Cross.

Dr. Michael Waldstein discusses Pope John Paul II’s philosophical thought with “What is it that personalism means students following his talk on September 27. to John Paul II in particular when he

Michael M. Waldstein is the president of the International Theological Institute in Gaming, Austria. He holds a Th.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins from Harvard Divinity School and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Dallas. He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature.

uses the term positively?” asked Waldstein. “It means an emphasis on the rationality of human beings, more specifically their rational life as moral agents aware of themselves...Among other things, personalism therefore means a particular emphasis on lived, conscious experience.”

Many believe that the Holy Father is a “personalist phenomenologist” and thus a non-Thomist. Waldstein differs. He holds that the Holy Father is faithful to the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas precisely in the elements of his teaching that many consider opposed to Aquinas.

The profound influence of St. John of the Cross on John Paul II is unquestionable, says Waldstein, and is evident if the writings of the two are compared. In particular is the attentive description of the lived experience of the person in the work of each.

In his lecture, he argued two main points: first, that Pope John Paul II’s teaching on marriage is deeply rooted in a teleological conception of nature in agreement with Aristotle’s and St. Thomas’ natural philosophy; and, second, that most of what is considered new in the Pope’s personalism is inspired by St. John of the Cross and is in harmony with St. Thomas Aquinas.

“As a student, St. John had a thorough formation in St. Thomas,” Waldstein explained. “Throughout his works he quotes the Angelic Doctor often. Nevertheless, St. John’s language is for the most part not the technical language of St. Thomas. But St. Thomas and St. John deeply agree with each other, despite their differences of language. I think the same can be shown for John Paul II in relation to St. Thomas.”

Waldstein concluded his presentation by asking his audience to take the time to read and understand Pope John Paul II because in his writings and teachings he unfolds and develops many important points that are merely implicit or briefly mentioned in St. Thomas. “One of the main reasons that faithful Catholics should spend much time on Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas is that St. Thomas has been proposed to us by many popes as the common teacher of the Church. If the reason why we accept St. Thomas is the authority of the popes, should we not be interested in the writings of the most recent Pope? Undercutting his relevance as a teacher is to undercut the authority of St. Thomas, which rests on Papal teaching,” he concluded.

Record Number of High School Students Visit Christendom and Apply The number of high school students who have visited the College this semester has increased 40% over last year. Additionally, the College has received 30% more applications than at this time last year. “Based on our current statistical information, I am sure that we will have an even longer waiting list than last year,” says Director of Admissions Tom McFadden. “I would recommend that anyone truly interested in attending Christendom make an official overnight visit to the College to see what we are all about. We can only enroll a limited number of students so I would also recommend that interested students apply as soon as they can.” To make an official visit, contact Admissions Counselor Lou Massett at 800-877-5456 ext. 291 or lmassett@ christendom.edu.

Apologist Patrick Madrid Speaks to Students About Moral Relativism Renowned Catholic apologist Patrick Madrid delivered a lecture entitled “Is Everything Up for Grabs? A Catholic Critique of Moral Relativism” on November 8 at Christendom as part of the College’s Major Speakers Program. Madrid is the editor of Envoy magazine, a Catholic journal of apologetics and evangelization, and the author or editor of ten books including, Pope Fiction, Any Friend of God’s Is a Friend of Mine, Where Is That In the Bible?, Search and Rescue, Why Is That In Tradition? Answer Me This, More Catholic Than the Pope, and the acclaimed multi-volume Surprised by Truth series.

surrounding it.” Many of today’s most volatile issues, such as cloning, abortion, euthanasia, gay marriage, etc., are fueled by the idea of moral relativism, he said. “There are two ways to understand truth,” said Madrid. “There is objective truth and subjective truth. When I say that I like a certain type of wine, or a certain type of food, it is a truth, but a subjective truth. It depends on me and my tastes, likes and dislikes, and others may certainly disagree with me. But objective truth never changes. The sum of two plus two is always four. If you jump out of a third floor window you will fall to the ground because of gravity. These things do not ever change. It doesn’t depend on whether you like

In the moral sphere, he continued, there are certain things that are objectively true and objectively false. Moral relativism is an approach to morality that denies the existence of objective truth. According to Madrid, there are three types of moral relativism: “I say,” “society does,” and “society says.” “The ‘I say’ version of moral relativism is based on the individual’s moral code, not on any set principles. The ‘society does’ version appeals to how society appears to act to define moral code. And the ‘society says’ attitude defines moral goodness as actions that are legalized,” he explained. Madrid continued by explaining the problems with these three types of moral relativism and how to refute the flawed logic of these beliefs. In short, because of the lack of an overarching, unchangeable, objective standard of ethics, moral relativists are unable to do many things that others can do. Moral relativists cannot accuse others of wrong-doing because there is no objective standard of right and wrong. Nor can they make a charge of injustice for that same reason.

An active apologist since 1987, Madrid was the vice president of Catholic Answers, serving there from 1988 to 1995. He helped co-found that apostolate’s flagship magazine, This Rock, in 1990. He is currently the host of four EWTN televi“When dealing with moral relativists, find their hot sion and radio series and button issue and then relativize that issue to show writes a popular weekly them how inconsistent their position really is. apologetics column called The fact that they even say that there are no “Where Is That in The Bible?” which is syndicated in several dioc- Apologist Patrick Madrid debunked the theory of moral relativism at Christendom on November 8. moral absolutes is a moral absolute in itself! Generally, the use of simple logic refutes moral esan newspapers in the US. math or science, or whether you disagree with the laws relativism because ultimately, moral relativism is a lie,” of physics or not. They are always true.” he concluded. To begin his lecture, Madrid defined moral relativism as “the theory that there is no objective truth and that the morality of an action changes based on the circumstances

INSTAURARE, December 2004

VP for Development John Ciskanik and College President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell look on as Board Chairman Donna Bethell cuts the ribbon to open the library on October 9.

Over 400 alumni and friends of the College celebrated the opening of the library on October 9. Mrs. Anne O’Reilly is the widow of Sean O’Reilly, for whom the old library had been named.

Archbishop O’Brien of the Military Archdiocese formally blesses and dedicates the St. John the Evangelist Library.

Our Lady Queen of Christendom watches over the library.

A view of the back of the library, which faces the Shenandoah River.

A plaque recognizing the many donors to the library faces the main circulation desk.

A stained glass window depicting St. John the Evangelist.

The library’s main circulation desk.

Sophomore Clare O’Reilly, daughter of library builder Frank O’Reilly, played the harp during the performance of the original orchestral piece by Christendom’s Dr. Kurt Poterack.

Christendom’s Director of Operations Mike Foeckler ‘85, Library Project Manager Mike Hofbauer ‘87, and Petrine Construction President Frank O’Reilly ‘83.

Mr. Gene Wurster discusses academic life with Prof. Trey Stanford.

INSTAURARE, December 2004

Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien of the Military Archdiocese leads the attendees in prayer.

A view from the top floor. The beautiful wood trim adds magnificent color and richness.

Beautifully crafted study carrels adorn the inside walls.

The Rare Books room in the library holds a number of unique and treasured articles, including copies of Flannery O’Connor’s works signed by the author.

A Papal Bust by H. Reed Armstrong stands near the periodicals.

There are four classrooms on the first floor of the library, as well as a state-of-the art computer center.

INSTAURARE, December 2004

Students Pray for Life in the Heart of the Nation

Each Saturday, after attending 7am Mass on campus, a group of Christendom students under the title “Shield of Roses” travels to Washington, DC, to peacefully protest abortion. Every week since the tradition was established at Christendom in the early ‘80’s, the group has been making a 75-minute drive to the center of DC to pray outside an abortion mill operated by Planned Parenthood.

O’Donnell Promoted to Knight Grand Cross College President Timothy O’Donnell was promoted to the rank of Knight Grand Cross in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in a solemn ceremony on October 30 held at the organization’s annual meeting in Washington, DC. Forty-seven new members were invested on that same day, and forty received promotions, including O’Donnell’s wife, Catherine O’Donnell, who was made Lady Commander with Star.

According to Fred Gruber, President of Shield of Roses, normally about 50-75 students give up Sebastien Jansen, Peter Kromhout, Annie Clarke, and Angela Gaetano are four of the 120 their Saturday morning students who participate in the Shield of Roses Pro-Life group activities. each week to defend life saving the lives of the unborn and convince 30% of the through their witness and student body to travel to DC to pray the four sets of prayer. On November 13, through the efforts of a mysteries of the Rosary in front of an abortuary, my number of enthusiastic students, over 120 students job gets easier. Christendom students never cease to from Christendom participated in the prayerful efforts amaze me!” of the Shield of Roses. Admissions Director Tom McFadden was present that day. “I spend my days telling interested students and their parents about the merits of Christendom College,” says McFadden. “When the students get excited about

This is one of the many ways in which Christendom students, as “Soldiers for Christ,” are working to restore all things in Him.

Christendom professors Christopher Blum and William Fahey will lead the College’s first-ever Study Abroad Program to France from May 20-June 7, 2005.

of Jesus at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Parayle-Monial, where Our Lord appeared to St. Margaret Mary so many years ago. They will also have the occasion to pray at other celebrated holy sites, including before the relics of St. Bernadette in Nevers and at the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal in Paris. Each of the Christendom professors will offer a course of lectures and readings to enrich the pilgrimage. History Department Chairman Professor Blum will teach his popular course The Medieval World, which is an introduction to the social life and art and architecture of high medieval Europe. Professor Fahey, the chairman of the Classics Department, will offer a course on Roman and EarlyChristian Gaul.

The Order was founded by Godfrey de Bouillon immediately after the conquest of Jerusalem in 1099. The objective of the Order is to revive, in modern form, the spirit and ideals of the Crusades, with the weapons of the faith, the apostolate, and Christian charity. The Order’s purpose centers on the preservation and propagation of the faith in the Holy Land, as well as other apostolic and charitable undertakings throughout the world.

Summer Abroad Program Going to France

Classes will begin in Front Royal on Friday, May 20, and the pilgrimage will commence on the The Royal Portal of the Cathedral Tuesday following. of Chartres. The two weeks in France will be spent primarily in the countryside and small towns of Burgundy, with two days at Chartres to open the journey and two full days in Paris to end it. The spiritual high point of the pilgrimage will be attending Holy Mass on the Feast of the Sacred Heart

The pilgrimage will include daily Mass said by the Reverend Michael J. Keating, a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul, MN, and a professor in the Department of Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas. For more information, please contact coblum@christendom.edu or call 800-877-5456.

Homecoming ‘04 Brings Families and Friends Together Over 250 alumni returned to Front Royal to attend Christendom’s annual Homecoming on October 2. The Class of 1994 celebrated its 10th Anniversary by holding a luncheon where alumni were able to talk about the old days and catch up on the new ones. Ad-

Jan (Kuznia) Akers ‘03, Matt Akers ‘03, Mary Akers ‘07, Sarah Akers ‘00, and Zach Akers ‘05 (Akers Dynasty) at Homecoming.

ditionally, the Class of 1999 held its own smaller class reunion, bringing together a number of classmates from both near and far. Next year’s Homecoming will be held on October 7-9, 2005.

Some of the members of the Class of 1999 came back to the College for Homecoming to celebrate their five-year reunion.

President Timothy O’Donnell was promoted to the rank of Knight Grand Cross on October 30.

Prof. Schwartz Celebrates Greene Centenary

Dr. Adam Schwartz, Associate Professor of History, has helped commemorate the centenary of British Catholic novelist Graham Greene by publishing two lengthy articles that seek to correct common misreadings of Greene’s work. The first essay “Like A Birthmark: Graham Greene’s Catholicism” appeared in Christendom’s own journal Faith & Reason (Fall & Winter 2003). In this article, Schwartz rebuts misconceptions about Greene’s faith. Against scholars who maintain that Greene embraced heresies like Jansenism or even ceased to be a Catholic in his later years, Schwartz maintains that Greene always had a sacramental worldview and imagination and that even when he ceased to believe in certain Catholic doctrines, he always retained faith in the overall truth of the Catholic outlook on life. In fact, Schwartz notes, Greene even excommunicated himself when he was unwilling to live up to certain Catholic moral precepts, showing that his apprehension of Catholic principles was not vitiated by his personal sins. Schwartz’s second article, “A Catholic Fellow-Traveler?: Graham Greene and Communism,” appeared in Explorations (volume 10). Schwartz argues in this essay that a key facet of Greene’s politics has been as misunderstood as his religion. Although Greene was sympathetic to certain leftist ideals and regimes, he always examined these from a fundamentally Catholic standpoint. He thus rejected Marxist materialism and belief in human perfectibility, believing that attempts to create a New Jerusalem out of the crooked timber of humanity could only end in the Babylon of the gulag. Schwartz thus concludes that Greene balanced successfully on the dangerous edge of things where religion and politics meet by letting his spiritual convictions govern his political impulses.

INSTAURARE, December 2004

Looking to the Future with Hope and Thanksgiving

I am pleased to report this quarter on two important matters. Before turning to the current fiscal year’s operational fundraising, let me spend a few moments on some good news about behind-the-scenes strategic planning in the area of long-term capital management.

off to a weak start and, as of this writing, are below 20% of our goal, I am confident that, with a rebound in the December, January, and February quarter, we will reach our target before our fiscal years ends in May 2005.

Long before the St. John the Evangelist Library was dedicated last October, President O’Donnell and his administration began laying the groundwork for the new building blocks of Christendom’s future. Now that the formidable library construction project is in the past, the College is able to focus on challenges and opportunities facing Christendom and appropriate plans for a stable future.

Christendom has been able to continue providing the finest in faithful Catholic higher education due, in a large measure, to the extraordinary generosity of alumni and friends who are committed to the Christendom mission. Unfortunately, the reality of this mission means . . . bills. While the operating budget includes utility bills, office and academic supplies, health benefits and other “mundane” items - these are essential to keeping the doors open.

Without a doubt, the strategy for a stronger Christendom includes the development of a multi-purpose endowment. Such an endowment would need to be capable of providing substantial support in the several important areas. First, the endowment would strengthen the Financial Aid program, which helps qualified young men and women afford a Christendom education. Second, it should provide funding for the maintenance and improvement of Christendom’s expanding campuses. Finally, it should provide meaningful support for undergraduate and graduate faculty teaching, scholarship and other service at Christendom College.

John F. Ciskanik

Going one step further, the operating budget has a direct impact upon the strategic planning referred to above. It is very important to recognize that Christendom’s ability to execute our long-term strategic planning depends upon our ability to meet our short-term operational obligations on a consistent basis. I thank you again for your continued support of Christendom College and will pray that Our Lord will continue to bless you during this Christmas season and throughout the New Year. John F. Ciskanik is Vice-President for Development and Planning.

Vocations Day 2004 Attracts 35 Religious Communities

I will keep you up to date on this important Christendom initiative. Regarding the second important matter at hand, I ask that you please keep Christendom College in your philanthropic plans this Christmas season. The Board of Directors has set an operating fundraising goal of $1,650,000 for the current fiscal year. Though we got

Sophomore Mary Akers speaks with a Nashville Dominican Sister about the religious life during Vocations Day on September 27.

Christendom alumnus and priest of the Fraternity of St. Peter Fr. Joseph Portzer ‘94 discusses the priesthood with Robert Schmid.

Intercollegiate Studies Institute Chooses Christendom as Right College In the newly revised 2005 college guide, Choosing the Right College, compiled by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute and published by ISI Books, Christendom College is again listed among the top 125 colleges in the United States. Choosing the Right College 2005: The Whole Truth about America’s Top Schools offers an alternative to college guides that skimp on real information. It is a guide with comprehensive, original, and independent research on what is actually happening on campuses nationwide. This 1,008-page survey amounts to a major statement on the condition of higher education in America today. The research staff of Choosing the Right College interviewed hundreds of professors and students. The result is a commentary on the intellectual, political, and social conditions at each institution that provides insider information vital to assessing the strengths and

weaknesses of the school. Each 3,000 word essay in Choosing the Right College assesses in depth the integrity and rigor of the institution’s curriculum with recommendations on which courses to take; reports on the state of academic freedom and the extent of political correctness and analyzes their effect on campus life; lists the best professors and departments and the most politicized elements of each school; and paints a broad picture of the traditions, student organizations, and settings that make every institution unique. Endorsed by everyone from Dr. Laura Schlessinger to Fr. Richard John Neuhaus to the New York Times, Choosing the Right College – The Whole Truth About America’s Top Schools is a much needed tool in today’s world to make sure that parents and students will not, according to syndicated columnist Cal Thomas, “be supporting the systematic destruction of the values, faith, and worldview they have spent so many years building up.”

In speaking of Christendom’s mission “to restore all things in Christ,” Choosing writes that “this belief in and commitment to truth sets Christendom apart from the great run of colleges and universities today, and has led the school to create a challenging and coherent program that turns out exceptionally well-educated and able graduates.” Not surprisingly, Christendom has been ranked in each edition of ISI’s college guide, the first being published in 1998. According to the guide, Christendom’s 84-hour core curriculum “goes far beyond what even many ‘good’ liberal arts colleges require....With an all-encompassing vision of the liberal arts driving the curriculum, the faculty and administration are at pains to create an educational experience in which each course, major, and rule for community life contributes to an integrated Catholic worldview.”

Christendom Celebrates the Year of the Eucharist On the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Holy Father announced the “Year of the Eucharist.” The College began its official observance on October 1 by having a candle-light Eucharistic procession followed by nocturnal adoration. The Holy Father in his encyclical letter Ecclesia de Eucharistia says, “Every commitment to holiness, every activity aimed at carrying out the Church’s mission … must draw the strength it needs from the Eucharistic mystery and in turn be directed to that mystery as its culmination.” The mission of Christendom College, aimed at and united to the Church’s mission, is “to restore all things in Christ.” To restore all things in Him, we must turn to Him. This is done at the College by the daily offering of Holy Mass and all day Eucharistic Adoration. The College plans to further observe the “Year of the Eucharist” with Holy

Hours and Eucharistic processions.

Published quarterly by the Christendom College Admissions & Marketing Office. Managing Editor, Layout, Design: Tom McFadden Copy Editor: Kathleen Blum Christendom College 134 Christendom Drive, Front Royal, VA 22630 (800) 877-5456 ~ www.christendom.edu

Chaplain Fr. Seamus O’Kielty leads the College community in a Eucharistic procession to celebrate of the Year of the Eucharist.

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INSTAURARE, December 2004

College Celebrates Cultural Diversity: Medieval Fest and Oktoberfest Each year, the Christendom College community gathers to celebrate many liturgical and cultural feasts. The highlighted events of the fall semester are undoubtedly the annual Oktoberfest celebration and the Medieval Fest. Led by Chairman of the English Language Department Dr. Robert Rice, students of German descent (and anyone else who enjoys sauerbratten, sauerkraut, and sausages of all kinds) gathered for an evening of fine German cuisine, drink, and dance. Over the first weekend of November, which was also Parents’ Weekend, the College celebrated its Annual Medieval Fest. Medieval Fest officially began with the naming of the

fire-roasted pigs, this year William and Mary. Following this ceremony, students demonstrated their many talents in fencing, juggling, dancing, and singing.

Sebastien Jansen juggles (and eats) apples for the College community. A young girl takes advantage of Siobhan O’Connor’s face-painting skills.

David Bushey and Peter Smith battle each other in the Medieval Fest’s Friar Tuck Log Fight.

Dr. Robert Rice leads the community in an authentic German toast.

Juliana Kacsir takes part in the Stein Race during Oktoberfest. Joe Ginski and Alex Knight grill sausages for the Oktoberfest dinner.

Justin Stover recites an “Ode to the Pigs” at the beginning of the Medieval Fest held over Parents’ Weekend on October 30.

Students John English and Breana Harrington dance the “Laendler” during Oktoberfest.

Frauleins Carissa Posch and Nikki Knobloch enjoy some authentic German food.

The West is Best in Annual East Versus West Homecoming Flag Football Game

After eight years of losing, the West team (red) finally wins the annual East/West football game by a score of 14-8 under the leadership of quarterback Patrick Quest.