Vita Consecrata Institute
Vita Consecrata Institute (VCI) is a 4-week program of spiritual renewal and graduate-level studies in spirituality and the theology of the consecrated life, for religious, priests, and other consecrated persons. You may attend the whole 4-week program or either of the two-week sessions. Students may take the courses for credit towards a master’s degree or audit the courses for personal enrichment. The VCI is especially recommended for religious preparing for vows or for formation or leadership roles in their institutes. The VCI is co-sponsored by the Institute on Religious Life and the Christendom Graduate School and is held at Christendom’s beautiful Front Royal campus on the banks of the Shenandoah River.
Summer 2026 Course Offerings
Session I
June 29 – July 10, 2026
CONL 624 Vows According to St. Thomas Aquinas | Sr. Maria Veritas Marks, O.P.
Mondays through Fridays 9:15-11:30 am
What is religious life? What are the vows, and what is their purpose? St. Thomas Aquinas contemplated these questions deeply. As he crafted responses to contemporaries who discouraged persons from entering religious life, Aquinas formulated a rich theology of consecration, timeless in its relevance. This course unfolds his thought, drawing on the Summa theologiae, “On the Perfection of the Spiritual Life,” and Contra retrahentes.
SPIR 633 Christian Asceticism | Fr. Thomas Nelson, O.Praem.
Mondays through Fridays 2:45-5:00 pm
This course studies the ascetical life of penance and self-denial and the necessary role it plays in the Christian life of virtue and prayer. It takes as its primary framework the teaching of St. John of the Cross on the purifications the soul must experience to reach Christian perfection. Within that context the ascetical practices of fasting and vigils, custody of the senses and the disciplining of the passions, and the mortification of the intellect, memory, and will are explained. Lastly, the course looks at the passive dark nights the soul must endure to reach union with God, and the power of redemptive suffering.
CONL 805 Intro to Philosophy II: Philosophy of Human Nature and Ethics | Fr. Anselm Rodriguez, O.Praem.
Mondays through Fridays 2:45-5:00 pm
In our modern society with its impoverished educational system, few are formed to reason well and even fewer are prepared to engage with the most fundamental and imperative philosophical or theological questions. The philosophy of human nature is approached as a foundation for ethics and will cover such topics as the destiny of man and his place in the order of creation; the immortal soul with its powers, activities, and senses; rationality, bodiliness, and man’s substantial unity. Ethics explores the art of living well and will cover such topics as the meaning of life, happiness and the ultimate end, virtues as the pathway to it, free choice, human acts, and friendship. This is the second half of a two-course cycle but participation in last year’s course is not a prerequisite. Discover how the human person is “fearfully and wonderfully made” and the supernatural destiny to which he is called.
LITG 706 Sacraments of Initiation | Fr. Dennis Gill
Mondays through Fridays 9:15-11:30 am
The Church sees a parallel between the sacraments of initiation and the stages of a person’s natural existence: natural birth corresponds to a supernatural birth in baptism; growth relates to supernatural maturity in confirmation; and man’s natural need for sustenance parallels his supernatural desire for the Eucharist. Together, these sacraments of initiation incorporate recipients into the Church, that is, into Christ. This course examines the unique character of each initiation sacrament in the Church’s tradition, and also considers their unity as the primary means of membership and life in the Church. Their respective ritual texts are studied to understand how the Church celebrates baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist today.
LITG 709 Liturgical Time: The Calendar and Divine Office | Chris Carstens
Mondays through Fridays 2:45-5:00 pm
All created things have been restored beneath the headship of Christ and therefore find a place in the liturgical celebration of his Paschal Mystery, from wood to wax, music to visual art—and even time. Unique among liturgical symbols—for who can see or hear time?—the cycles of the year, week, and day combine to reveal Christ in the present moment. Discover how the liturgical calendar, the marking of holy days, and the Liturgy of the Hours are among the most privileged means to encounter Christ.
Session II
July 13 – July 24, 2026
CONL 807 Leadership for Religious in the 21st Century: The Gospel of Work & the Zeal of Love | Msgr. Stuart Swetland
Mondays through Fridays 9:15-11:30 am
This leadership formation course, designed specifically for members of religious communities in 2025, integrates the theological anthropology of St. John Paul II, the organizational wisdom of the Rule of St. Benedict, and the missionary urgency of Popes Francis and Leo XIV. As religious leaders navigate complex institutional and pastoral challenges, this course provides a robust framework for leadership that is both contemplative and active. Participants will explore the “Subjective and Objective Dimensions of Work” from Laborem Exercens, recognizing work not just as a mere production of results, but as a primary means of personal sanctification and shared dignity. This is balanced by the Benedictine principles of Stability, Obedience, and Humility, which offer a time-tested guide for communal discernment and the “Good Zeal” necessary for healthy governance. Drawing on Pope Francis’ The Joy of the Gospel (Evangelii Gaudium) and Pope Leo XIV’s Dilexi Te , the course challenges leaders to move beyond “administrative or organization preservation” toward a “missionary option,” transforming their communities into centers of encounter and service. By applying Catholic Social Teaching (CST) principles—such as Subsidiarity, Solidarity, and the Preferential Option for the Poor—participants will develop practical tools to lead with transparency, justice, charity and a renewed evangelical spirit.
SPIR 635 Spiritual Direction | Fr. Boniface Hicks, O.S.B.
Mondays through Fridays 2:45-5:00 pm
This course examines the place and importance of spiritual direction in the Christian spiritual life. It covers the role and limits of psychology and psychological counseling in spiritual development; the qualities that should be found in spiritual directors and those directed; the role of retreats and other religious experiences in spiritual direction; the difference between spiritual formation, spiritual counseling and spiritual direction; the discernment of spirits and vocational discernment; and the various schools of spirituality. It also provides practical advice for the ministry of spiritual direction.
LITG 704 Liturgical History: From the Last Supper to the Liturgical Movement | Fr. Donald Anstoetter
Mondays through Fridays 9:15-11:30 am
The fundamental action where Christ instituted the liturgy and sacraments occurs upon the cross, was anticipated at the Last Supper, and continues by the hands of the apostles and their successors. Through centuries and across continents, the fundamental expression of the Mass and other liturgical celebrations have remained constant, even while ritual forms have changed to allow the faithful of any given age access to Christ. The 20th century’s Liturgical Movement culminated in the Second Vatican Council’s Sacrosanctum Concilium and brought about significant changes in the celebration of Mass and other rites. This course traces the history of the liturgy through the ages so that liturgical leaders can implement today’s rites according to the Church’s own hermeneutic of reform and renewal.
LITG 707 Sacraments of Healing and Service | Dr. Owen Vyner
Mondays through Fridays 2:45-5:00 pm
Illness requires a physician. So also in the supernatural life of faith do human beings visit the divine physician in the sacrament of Penance for healing of regular sins and, when in danger of death from sickness or old age, they find comfort from Christ the Redeemer in the Anointing of the Sick. The Church’s funeral rites mark not only the end of earthly existence, but the Passover into eternal life. Still other sacraments supply service to the Church and her members: the sacraments of Matrimony and of Holy Orders grow and lead the Mystical Body of Christ. Each of these manifestations of Christ our healer and head take the form of sacramental rites. These four sacraments will be examined in their theological, historical, and current expressions in the Church’s current books.
Apply Now
Important note for priests visiting from outside of the Diocese of Arlington:
Please be sure to have a letter of suitability sent to Bishop Michael Burbidge, Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington.
First time Vita Consecrata Institute students will need some additional documents and should contact the Institute on Religious Life at 847-573-8975, or email the IRL staff: paula@religiouslife.com.
Additional required documentation is:
- Letter from the religious superior or ordinary stating (a) express permission to attend, and (b) how her or she sees you may personally benefit from the study and how it might enrich your community;
- Brief (2-3 paragraph) history of your vocation; and
- Brief (2-3 paragraph) summary of your educational background and/or ministerial experience.
The three documents should be submitted to the Institute on Religious Life:
Institute on Religious Life, P.O. Box 7500, Libertyville IL 60048-7500
Tel: (847) 573-8975
Full Schedule
June 28: VCI Session I attendees may arrive on campus.
June 28: Orientation to be held at 6:30 pm.
June 29: Classes begin for VCI Session I.
July 10: Final classes for VCI Session I.
July 12: VCI Session II attendees may arrive on campus.
*Students only attending VCI Session I should be off campus by 10:00 am Saturday, July 11.
July 12: Orientation for VCI II students to be held at 6:30 pm.
July 13: Classes begin for VCI Session II.
July 24: Final classes for VCI Session II.
July 25: All attendees must vacate dorms by 10:00 am.
Cost to Attend
VCI Summer 2026 Rates:
Cost to Attend Single Session
Enrolled in 1 course
Audit: $1238
Credit: $1802
Enrolled in 2 courses (recommended)
Audit: $1646
Credit: $2774
Cost to Attend Both Sessions
Enrolled in 1 course per session
Audit: $2370
Credit: $3498
Enrolled in 2 courses per session (recommended)
Audit: $3186
Credit: $5442
The cost formula for the above figures is the following: Cost of tuition ($486 per credit/$204 per audit credit) + Room and Board ($780 for 1 session, $1504 for 2 sessions) + one-time registration fee ($50).
*Two courses per session is typically a standard course load for the VCI. Students may choose to take 1-2 VCI courses per session, and the number of credit hours would adjust their invoiced rate accordingly. Please note the cost of tuition is a discounted rate for religious attending the VCI: the cost for those not in religious life will be the regular rate ($540 per credit/$226 per audit credit).
Residential Life
We recommend that those who have registered or who are in the process of registering take a few minutes before booking travel plans to read the following information. It will provide you with an idea of what to expect during your residential study.
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 call the office at (703) 658-4304 or email mary.castano@christendom.edu at the time of registration so that we can ensure a parking space for you.
Food Service
Meals & Special Dietary Accommodations
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily at St. Lawrence Commons. The cost of meals is included in the room and board charge for those residing on campus. Students with allergies and dietary restrictions are encouraged to disclose these to the Graduate School.
Christendom College is committed to providing safe and healthy dietary accommodations to students with food allergies, food sensitivities, and unique dietary needs. Students are free to navigate the dining Commons themselves, as menus are displayed in each food line listing ingredient information for main allergens. If a student is ever in doubt about ingredients or allergens in a meal, he should ask our Executive Chef or a Kitchen Staff member. If the student requires specially prepared meals, the College offers the following dietary accommodations:
- Gluten-free
- Dairy-free
- Nut-free
- Egg-free
- Soy-free
- Shellfish/fish-free
While we make every effort to prepare all allergen-free menu items as safe as possible, we are a facility that uses allergens in other areas of our space, and no kitchen is guaranteed to be completely allergy-free. A severe allergy, such as anaphylaxis, is not able to be accommodated.
Students with special dietary needs are encouraged to follow this link for more information: https://www.christendom.edu/campus-life/student-services/dining-2/
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 (June 29-July 24), 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 Executive Chef Stephen Bieker at 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.