In our present society, choosing a college where one can learn the truth, live the faith, and thrive can be daunting. For young Catholics, many modern campuses present challenges and potential threats to keeping the faith and living virtuously. It is no secret that a large percentage of young adults leave their faith when they fly the nest to pursue their college education.
Christendom College founder Dr. Warren Carroll perceived these threats and felt called to found a college where young Catholics could learn the truth, in full adherence to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Christendom offers a rich sacramental life on campus that supports this vision and permeates every aspect of the college, from life in the dorms, to the classroom atmosphere, to extracurricular activities. Many students and their parents feel drawn to Christendom because it offers a continuation of the life of grace they sought to foster at home from a young age.
This is what drew the Cruz siblings to pick Christendom as their home away from home. Hailing from Southern California, the journey across the states was a tremendous commitment, both geographically and financially, but they felt it was worth it.
Therese, the eldest, graduated in 2023. After being home-schooled through high school, she felt peace visiting Christendom in the winter of her junior year. Many aspects of the college piqued her interest.
This story comes from the latest issue of Instaurare Magazine, the official magazine of Christendom College. Read more from Instaurare here!
“My siblings and I were educated at home through Seton Home Study School, which is connected with Christendom,” notes Therese. “I saw advertisements for the school growing up. However, I did not seriously start thinking about Christendom until I started researching colleges. At that point, I turned to the Newman Guide and found that Christendom checked all the boxes that were important to me: solidly Catholic, very frequent access to Mass and the sacraments, rigorous academics, the liberal arts but also the opportunity to focus in on one major after obtaining a base in all of them, residence hall policies that were directed toward forming a wholesome and virtuous community, a study-abroad program, and many other wonderful aspects. I had no relatives who had come here and knew very few alumni, but those few alumni really advocated for my coming here.”
Therese Cruz ’23.
The study-abroad semester was one of the major aspects that won Therese over. She was privileged to spend the spring semester of her junior year abroad in the Eternal City, immersing herself in the culture and soaking up the richness of her Catholic Faith.
“My four years as a student at Christendom were incredible,” she recalls, “In the classes and professors, I found a practically never-ending source of knowledge and wisdom to embrace. Some of my best advice to students is to learn to appreciate every moment in the classroom. The very classes and conversations with professors and fellow students strengthened and deepened my faith. The friendships that I formed at Christendom have brought me to where I am and will continue to be some of the greatest treasures that I will have the joy of cherishing. The opportunities that were possible in the small school setting are invaluable. Christendom formed me, in a very substantial way, into who I am today.”
Joshua, a current junior, learned more about the school through his sister and felt very drawn to the sacramental life on campus, as well as the rich theology classes.
Joshua Cruz ’25.
“What most inspired me to attend Christendom was the allure of the deep and devout Catholic identity that permeates and fills every aspect of life here. I want to take my faith seriously and grow more deeply in it, and the community at Christendom allows me to do this in a way not possible at most other schools. I also appreciate the ability to get a solid education in the liberal arts but still be able to focus on theology, a topic that I love.”
A third Cruz, Christopher, joined his siblings on campus this fall and has already had many positive experiences. When asked how he is adjusting to his new home away from home, he emphasizes, “It’s pretty great. The guys that I hang out with in the residence halls are amazing. I’ve had so many incredible conversations just hanging out in the common rooms. The people are most definitely my favorite part. I already feel close to people that I just met a couple of months ago.”
Christopher Cruz ’27.
Therese loved her time as a student so much that she felt called to apply for the Residence Director position in the college’s Student Life Office after graduation.
“I loved being a Resident Assistant during the second half of my time at Christendom. I loved being able to serve my fellow students and build community both in the halls and around campus. So, when the opportunity arose to return to Christendom post-graduation and work in Student Life as a Residence Director, I discerned that this is where God was calling me to begin restoring all things in Christ. As a Residence Director, I have the opportunity to serve the students, particularly the women of Christendom, in a very special way. This is my passion.”
Even though Therese is no longer a student living in the dorms, her office is centrally located on campus and her brothers love that she is so nearby.
“It’s such a blessing to be able to see, talk to, and hang out with my brother and sister,” says Joshua. “It is so much fun to have Christopher on campus and see him establish himself on campus. I am very excited to see how he grows as a man at Christendom. Therese has been a huge help and rock for me throughout the last two-plus years I have been at Christendom. Her advice and support have been invaluable. Since she’s become RD, it’s been a blessing to work with her on the Residence Life team as an RA. Family time is very important, and it is beautiful that we get as much as we do with all three of us together. It is so much fun to be able to enjoy life at Christendom together.”
The Cruz siblings dress as elves for a 2013 Christmas photo.
The three siblings are also united in their love for the sacraments and are thrilled to have them so readily accessible to the Christendom community.
“I love being able to go to Mass daily,” Christopher shares, “Often when I get stressed, I’ll just go to adoration and let it all out. It’s wonderful to be able to do that.”
“Having the sacraments so readily available is a huge blessing,” Joshua adds, “It has without a doubt helped me to grow in my spiritual life and has aided me in whatever I have needed throughout college. Being able to walk to the chapel and talk to Our Lord in the Tabernacle in such a beautiful place is incredible.”
Committing to a college a whole coast away was a sacrifice, but one the Cruz family was willing to make. They, like many other large families, also took advantage of Christendom’s unique sibling discount, which helps make attending the college possible.
Christopher with fellow freshmen during this year’s Welcome Weekend.
Starting in the fall of 2024, the sibling discount will be given to any student with an older sibling (or siblings) concurrently attending Christendom with them, with the student receiving a discount of $5,000 off tuition per year. This annual sibling discount will automatically be offered for all four years of attendance (totaling $20,000) and will continue after the older sibling graduates or withdraws — making a Christendom education possible for so many families, like the Cruz family.
Although the three siblings are very fond of their beloved West Coast home, they are more than happy to consider Christendom as a second home.
Joshua enjoys a swing dance at this year’s Homecoming Dance.
“Christendom is definitely like home to me now,” Joshua admits, “I have come to know so many good people in my time here, and the community is very friendly and supportive. It helps that we are all striving after the same thing. Home will always be home, but I have become very comfortable living at Christendom and come to deeply love the community, of which I hope I have become a meaningful part.”
“The Shenandoah Valley has become a beloved place to me,” muses Therese. “Christendom is home first and foremost because of the people. There is nothing quite like a community in which everyone is striving for virtue together.”
Written by Julie Wells, Digital Media Manager.
Read more from Instaurare Magazine here.