“The times are never so bad but that a good man can live in them.”
These words of St. Thomas More echo as loudly today as they did five centuries ago. Right now, across the country, debates rage over perhaps the defining legal issue of the past sixty years: abortion. Such a time that would produce even the question of whether an unborn child is worth saving is a troubling one. In such a dark moment, when not even the most innocent in society are protected, men and women are needed who are willing to make the decisions that will determine whether truth and justice will prevail.
St. Thomas More provides an example for how one should live out the Catholic Faith in the public square. Now, recent graduates Pablo Boada ’22 and Justin Corman ’22 are looking to follow that example as they start law school this fall, beginning their journeys toward careers in law and politics—journeys they are beginning with full-tuition scholarships at their respective schools. Together, they are aiming to impact society for the better during this critical time in the history of the nation.
“While at Christendom, I gained a more in-depth appreciation for the legacy and influence of St. Thomas More and how his jurisprudence background assisted him in serving his king and his faith,” says Boada. “I was provided with a role model to aspire after with regard to pursuing a legal career that will both serve my countrymen and give glory to God.”
Boada hails from Texas, where he has returned to begin his law studies this fall. For years now, Boada has felt a calling to either study law or join a political think tank. It was during his studies at Christendom, specifically in political science and economics professor Rafael Madan’s “Jurisprudence and the Catholic Lawyer” class during his junior year, that he discovered the beauty of law and the importance of Catholic lawyers. From then on, he knew he had a calling to join the legal field.
St. Thomas More provides an example for how one should live out the Catholic Faith in the public square.
Wanting to become a lawyer is easier said than done, however. The process toward getting into law school began with Boada taking on an intense LSAT preparation, along with research into law schools and practice areas. Once he narrowed down his choices, he applied and was admitted to all four schools he applied to: the University of Texas, University of Notre Dame, Southern Methodist University, and Baylor University. Based on his undergraduate grades and his stellar LSAT score, he was granted the Dean’s Scholarship for Academic Excellence at Baylor, giving him a full ride to pursue his vocation.
Boada’s journey first began when he was inspired by St. Thomas More in the classroom. Now, thanks to his preparation from Christendom, he will continue that journey toward becoming a force for good in the country.
“I believe I am well prepared academically through my rigorous studies, which have prepared me to think critically and present analytical arguments,” says Boada, who majored in political science and economics at Christendom with a minor in history. “Most importantly, my formation as a man in the development of virtue and the establishment of faith-based relationships with my peers and my professors will be an invaluable aid for after college where I hope to fulfill my calling for holiness as a Catholic advocate for justice and truth.”
This story comes from the latest issue of Instaurare Magazine, the official magazine of Christendom College. Read more from Instaurare here!
Like Boada, Corman also felt inspired by St. Thomas More but from an even younger age. Corman’s father went to law school and then into politics—a journey he wanted to replicate as well. First, however, he wanted to receive the strong intellectual and spiritual formation necessary to effect real change in the world.
“In four years, I learned more at Christendom than I had learned in my whole life,” says Corman, who double-majored in philosophy and classical and early Christian studies. “The education I received at Christendom is quite literally priceless to me. I hope that students and alumni realize what a real gift it is to have this kind of Catholic formation, because I can tell you from experience that it is rare indeed. I encourage everyone to appreciate the inherent value of this kind of an education and to go out into the world to do something with that formation.”
For Corman, that meant going off to law school and following in his father’s footsteps. With the help of the college’s faculty and Director of Career and Professional Development Kristin Stephens, Corman completed his graduate school application and submitted it to his top choice: Ave Maria School of Law. About three weeks later, he was floored at the response back: acceptance, plus a full-tuition scholarship.
“I guess they thought my application was pretty good,” says Corman humbly.
Corman will spend the next few years studying hard for his Doctor of Jurisprudence, after which he plans on returning to Virginia to get involved either in politics or begin practicing international law. In the case of Boada, he is still determining what area of law he wants to enter, but ultimately hopes to fulfill his calling for holiness as a Catholic advocate for justice and truth regardless of what area he pursues. In the future, however, he does have his eyes set on a major position: eventually becoming a federal judge.
Important issues, like the pro-life cause, need powerful defenders in the judiciary. For the first time in decades, as the country awaits the news on the Supreme Court’s decision in the Jackson v. Dobbs case that could reverse Roe v. Wade, the legal tide is finally turning toward a better understanding of the U.S. Constitution and hopefully toward a defense of natural law principles. For that to continue, however, well-trained, faithful Catholic law advocates are needed.
Boada and Corman are not alone in this fight—right now, other alumni are currently studying for law degrees, including Aidan Wenzel ’17 and Jensen Hoernig ’18 at George Mason University, Grace Mooney ’17 at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, and Katherine Williams Wiegand ’18 at the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law.
Together, they all join a long line of alumni who are already at work defending Catholic moral principles at the legal level, whether as attorneys, paralegals, or as policy advisors for United States representatives.
Christendom College founder Dr. Warren H. Carroll famously said, “one man can make a difference.” Christendom’s Class of 2022 is sending two men ready to make a difference, as Boada and Corman strive to make a stand for truth and justice in the public square, like St. Thomas More before them.
The times are desperate for good men and women—the Class of 2022 is answering that call.
Read more from Instaurare Magazine here.
Contributed by Zach Smith, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications at Christendom College.