According to statistics compiled by college personnel, a full 15 percent of alumni are known to serve as priests and religious in dioceses and orders over the world. To date, there are 46 men and 26 women. At least 10 more are also now studying in a seminary.

Fourteen of these alumni are serving in the Arlington Diocese. Eleven are diocesan priests: Fathers Kevin Beres, Dennis Donohoe, John Heisler, Joe Kenna, Stephen McGraw, Carroll Oube, Fran Peffley, Michael Taylor, Tom Vanderwoude, Kevin Walsh and Matthew Zuberbueler. And three are in the Monastery of the Poor Clares in Alexandria: Margaret Barry, now Sister Mary Christiana of Jesus Our King; M. Colleen O’Donnell, now Sister Marguerite Marie of the Sacred Heart; and Patricia Schneible, now Sister Mary Charitas of the Child Jesus.

The college "offers a unique setting and Christ-centered atmosphere, suitable for fostering vocations to the priesthood and religious life, as well as to the lay apostolate and married life," said Tom McFadden, college relations officer. "The students are able to attend daily Mass and pray the rosary daily with the community. In addition, the students are given ample opportunity to attend Eucharistic adoration and volunteer their time to various apostolic groups," such as an on-campus Legion of Mary.

Christendom was founded in 1977 by Dr. Warren Carroll with the main goal of preparing its laity to transform the social order in Christ. McFadden said that it was "always part of the college’s mission to provide an educational experience that would aid its young men and women in responding to the Lord’s call."

McFadden used the example of two siblings who are Christendom alumni. Kristy (Class of 1989) and Matthew Zuberbueler (Class of 1992) are now a Nashville Dominican nun and priest for the Arlington Diocese, respectively.

Christendom was "a critical milestone on [her] journey to recognize and respond to [her] vocation as a religious sister," said now-Dominican Sister Mary Anne Zuberbueler. The college’s central curriculum, such as philosophy and theology courses, were like her novitiate studies foundation and created a smooth carryover, she said.

Father Zuberbueler, currently parochial vicar at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington, said that Christendom was the "perfect setting" for his discernment process. The college was "an excellent preparation for the seminary," giving him "a thorough foundation in the rich and complex theological and intellectual heritage of the Church," he said.

Three years before Christendom was established, noted McFadden, Arlington Bishop Thomas Welsh invited the Poor Clare nuns into the new diocese to pray for vocations, for both here and elsewhere.

Dr. Timothy O’Donnell, Christendom president, cites the campus’ "natural and supernatural beauty," in its spectacular Shenandoah Valley setting as contributing to vocations discernment. He mentioned specifically the tranquil rural area and also breathtaking beauty of the Chapel of Christ the King.

Two years ago O’Donnell’s daughter, Mary Colleen, entered the Poor Clares Monastery. Several Christendom female alumnae have entered either that contemplative order or the Carmelites.