The Diocese of Arlington’s Bishop Michael Burbidge has assigned Fr. Joseph Rampino as Christendom’s newest chaplain. Fr. Rampino officially begins his assignment this week, succeeding Fr. Marcus Pollard, who faithfully served the Christendom community for nine years as the longest-serving chaplain in the college’s history.
As college chaplain, Fr. Rampino will oversee the spiritual life of the Christendom community, celebrating daily Mass, hearing confessions, providing spiritual direction, and serving students, faculty, and staff through his priestly ministry.
A priest of the Diocese of Arlington since 2016, Fr. Rampino has served in a variety of pastoral assignments throughout Northern Virginia while also pursuing advanced theological studies. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary before completing a Bachelor of Sacred Theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum) in Rome. More recently, he has pursued doctoral studies in Sacred Theology at The Catholic University of America, with a particular focus on the history and nature of diocesan clerical life, as well as the theology of participation in Christ.
In addition to parish ministry and his academic studies, Fr. Rampino has contributed regular reflections and articles exploring the Catholic faith, helping readers deepen their understanding of Scripture, the liturgy, and the Christian life. He has also previously served as a college chaplain at Marymount University.
Fr. Rampino succeeds Fr. Marcus Pollard, whose nine years of service profoundly shaped the Christendom community. During his years on campus, Fr. Pollard became a beloved spiritual father to countless students, celebrating daily Mass, spending hours in the confessional, leading campus Eucharistic processions, and encouraging the community through his weekly videos during the spring of 2020.
Following his assignment at Christendom, Bishop Burbidge has assigned Fr. Pollard as parochial vicar of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Great Falls, Virginia.
Please join the Christendom community in welcoming Fr. Joseph Rampino and praying for him as he begins his priestly ministry on campus.