Palaestra Virginiensis
June 22–27, 2026
A week-long immersive program in spoken Latin, including discussions of classical & Christian literature, acting out of Latin plays, lectures, lessons on grammar and vocabulary, and games. Whether you are just beginning to speak Latin or an experienced veteran, you are invited to join us! The only prerequisite is a solid grounding in Latin grammar (2+ college semesters) and an interest in spoken Latin. We welcome college and graduate students, Latin teachers, college professors, or other Latin enthusiasts to apply and join us this summer in the mountains by the Shenandoah River at Christendom College!
Contact Dr. Patricia Aeschliman with any questions: paeschliman@hillsdale.edu
Cost to Attend:
Overnight guests: $600 (includes tuition, six nights in a double occupancy room, and breakfast/lunch/dinner throughout the stay)
Commuters: $250 (includes tuition and lunch/dinner each day)
“Dido’s Death” by Vergilius Romanus
Meet Your Teachers
Mr. Aloysius Aeschliman
Latin teacher & independent scholar
Hillsdale Classical & Geneva School of Orange County
Dr. Patricia Aeschliman
Assistant Professor of Classics
Hillsdale College
Mr. Kevin Oriani
Latin Teacher
The Avalon School, Washington DC
Dr. Gus “Augustus” Grissom
Latin/History Teacher at Smithsburg High School
Institute Details
Campus Accommodations
Summer accommodations are simple, standard college dormitory facilities. They are furnished with twin beds, desks, dressers, chairs, and small closets with a few clothes hangers. We provide all residents with the following:
- two twin sheets
- one pillow
- one pillowcase
- one mattress pad
- one light-weight blanket
- one bath towel
- two hand towels
- one washcloth
The towels are small and some students like to bring extras. You may also wish to bring an additional pillow or blanket. Laundry facilities are in the dormitory and are available to students free of charge.
Roommates
Whenever possible, students taking courses for credit are given single rooms to facilitate deep study. Religious participants generally share rooms with those from their own religious order. Audit students will be paired with a roommate. If you wish to request a particular roommate, please email your request to mary.castano@christendom.edu by June 1st. No roommate requests can be accommodated after June 1.
Safety & Security Information
On every wing and floor of each dormitory, bulletin boards can be found with general information such as emergency contact numbers, directions to medical facilities, local maps, etc. For your safety, a security officer is on patrol across campus each night. Dormitories are accessible only by key cards, which will be issued to students upon arrival on campus. Students will receive more information on safety and security during the student orientation, and a staff member will be available for questions.
Accessibility Accommodations
Students are welcome to disclose any physical limitation or restriction that may affect their stay or require special attention by emailing the Graduate School at graduate.school@christendom.edu. We will place students in rooms that are appropriate for their needs.
Please Note: Christendom is a walking campus. Although the campus is not large, students need to be able to walk to and from buildings or to provide their own transportation. The dining and classroom facilities are all handicap accessible.
All residential registrations and special requests MUST be received by June 1. Accommodations after this date cannot be guaranteed as space is limited and housing assignments are locked in by early June.
Transportation to/from Campus
Graduate School Transportation
Parking on Campus
For those who plan to park on campus, there will be a lot available close to the dormitories. Because of limited space across campus, we ask that those planning to drive get in touch with us (703) 658-4304 | mary.castano@christendom.edu at the time of registration so that we can ensure a parking space for you.
Food Service
Non-Residential Students
- Please contact Executive Chef Stephen Bieker in person or by email at stephen.bieker@christendom.edu (preferably with a week's notice) before you plan to eat on campus. If you plan to regularly dine in the Commons during the semester, please communicate your schedule to the Chef.
- Individual meal prices for non-resident students and guests are $10 per meal.
Christ the King Chapel
At the center of Christendom's community, Christ the King chapel provides a beautiful setting for liturgy and worship. The Sacraments are celebrated frequently, and the chapel is a peaceful setting for individual prayer.
Christendom offers daily Mass and Confession. During the Vita Consecrata Institute and the Institute for Liturgical Formation, an additional morning Mass will be celebrated, along with daily Liturgy of the Hours and Exposition and Benediction.
Christendom's Sunday Mass is offered in Christ the King Chapel at 10:00 AM.
The Christendom Chaplain (Fr. Marcus Pollard) is available to graduate students for any spiritual needs; students can contact him at the rectory (540-622-6128) or by email fr.pollard@christendom.edu.
Other Campus Facilities
St. John the Evangelist Library
The St. John the Evangelist Library is the center of the academic life of the Christendom College campus, and has a collection of more than 90,000 volumes specifically designed to serve and support the intellectual and spiritual formation of the students, faculty, administration, and staff. With this in mind, the library aims to provide an uplifting atmosphere and excellent instructional, reference, and collection services.
Summer students also have access to the smaller St. Paul Library, located inside of the Graduate School in St. Martha’s Hall. This smaller library collection has many excellent resources which are particularly suitable for graduate-level research in philosophy and theology.
Students taking summer classes are able to check out books from the library and use available spaces for quiet study. Additional information about the library's services and collection may be found on the library webpage.
Crusader Gymnasium
The gymnasium is located near the Library and Saint Clare's dorm and overlooks the Shenandoah River. The 20,000 square-foot structure features:
- Full size collegiate basketball court including side practice baskets
- Regulation volleyball court with 2 practice courts
- Full size (2) racquetball/handball courts
- Fully functional weight room with free weights, strength machines, bench stations, and 2 multi-use machines
- Fitness and cardio room equipped with treadmills, elliptical, free weights, medicine balls and mats
- Student TV lounge with snack machines
- 2 locker rooms with bathrooms and showers
Access to kayaks and canoes for use on the Shenandoah River is also available through the gym. Information on how to sign up will be provided during orientation.
Campus Map
A campus map is available for download here: Campus Map (pdf). There are many scenic walkways and sights to explore on campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When should I arrive at and depart from campus?
Students may arrive on the Sunday prior to the start of their session. Orientation will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Dorms must be vacated no later than 10:00 am on the Saturday following the conclusion of each program to make room for any other attendees who are arriving (for example, VCI Session I participants must clear the room for VCI Session II participants).
2. If I am local to Christendom, can I attend classes without staying on campus?
Commuting students are more than welcome to attend classes. Please be sure to touch base with the Graduate School so that parking and food services may be appropriately arranged. Non-resident students should still attend orientation.
3. Is Christendom close to town?
Christendom is located roughly 5 miles from the town center of Front Royal. There are limited public transportation options from campus to town. A free shuttle service will run from campus to town once a week.
4. Can I receive mail while I am attending?
Students may receive mail at 134 Christendom Drive, Front Royal, VA, 22630. Mail is distributed to resident students and faculty during the noon meal by Walter Janaro, Christendom College's Registrar. Students may give Walter outgoing mail at that time, or may drop it off at his office in Regina Coeli. Postage can be purchased from Walter. In an emergency, a message may be left for a student at the college toll-free number: 800-877-5456.
5. What kind of activities are there to do during my stay?
Christendom has many beautiful hiking trails in the forest overlooking the Shenandoah River; we highly recommend that students take time to enjoy the scenery. Summer students who wish to spend some time on the river are also welcome to make use of the College’s canoes and kayaks. The Crusader Gymnasium is an excellent facility for exercise and recreation—including basketball/volleyball courts, racquetball courts, fitness room and weight room. The St. John the Evangelist Library offers a relaxing environment in which to study and read.
6. Does St. Lawrence Commons provide gluten-free/dairy-free eating options?
Students with any allergy concerns or other dietary requirements are encouraged to contact the kitchen (stephen.bieker@christendom.edu).
7. When is the last day to reserve my space on campus?
While commuting students can sign up for classes up until the day when class begins, residential students must sign up by June 1.
8. Can I take my summer classes partially online and partially on-campus?
While we strongly encourage in-person participation as much as possible, there is a great deal of flexibility in the way that you engage with your summer courses. All onsite summer theology classes (not including Vita Consecrata courses or classical language courses) are live-streamed to allow distance students to participate in real time. The recordings of these live classes will be available to all students once they are posted in Populi. Further, our 13-week online summer term offers asynchronous pre-recorded versions of all the same courses that will be offered on campus during the six-week term.
9. Is there a dress code?
There is no requirement for professional dress during classes, but we do ask that shorts aren’t worn to Mass or other liturgical celebrations. Summers in Virginia tend to be hot and humid. As such, each of the buildings is air-conditioned and some can be quite cool. We encourage students to also pack clothing that can be worn to enjoy the outdoors.
10. Is there internet on campus?
The dormitories, library, gym, and student center will have Wi-Fi connections available. The library has computer labs that students may use during open hours.