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 benefactors 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.
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 have 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.
This story comes from the latest issue of Instaurare Magazine, the official magazine of Christendom College. Read more from Instaurare here!
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.
Written by Riley Lane.
Read more from Instaurare Magazine here.