For rising St. Paul VI Catholic High School senior Rodrigo Jauregui, Christendom College was not even on his radar — until two days before he unexpectedly arrived in Front Royal for the college’s Best Week Ever high school summer program.
Jauregui had just heard of the school, thanks to his school chaplain who thought he would thrive there. But he had not seriously considered it until he was offered a last-minute spot at Best Week Ever. He decided to take a leap of faith — one that left him with a deeper Catholic identity and renewed hope for his generation.
A Fairfax native, Jauregui enrolled at Paul VI in 2022, quickly becoming involved in football, choir, theater, and campus ministry leadership. School chaplain Father Jonathan Fioramonti, noting Jauregui’s many interests, asked him what he was considering for college. He wanted a school that continued the rich Catholic education he was receiving at Paul VI, while also giving him outlets to continue pursuing his extracurricular passions. Father Fioramonti, who graduated from Christendom in 2014, recommended his alma mater — something that stuck with him as he wrapped up his junior year.
With that in the back of his mind, Jauregui started his summer break, still with no firm plans for his future. Weeks later, he visited Christendom to meet with the admissions team and to tour the campus. Within a few hours he was encouraged to attend the high school summer program.
When Jauregui arrived on campus two days later, he didn’t know anyone. Just two hours later, he’d met everyone in the men’s residence halls.
“The atmosphere the second I walked on campus was the most welcoming I’ve experienced. I didn’t expect to see so many smiling faces in a place before. Immediately, I felt at home,” he said. “We bonded so quickly, and I credit this to the commonality of the faith we shared. Although we came from all over, I felt as if these were people I was already connected to.”
Over the next six days, Jauregui’s friendships deepened, as did his connection to the faith. Mornings began in the classroom with Christendom faculty, diving into history, philosophy, theology and literature. Afternoons brought daily Mass, canoeing on the Shenandoah River, hiking Skyline Drive, a debate night, a talent show, and his first lessons in swing and contra dancing.
Jauregui is now back in school at St. Paul VI, beginning his senior year. Christendom, once an afterthought, is now firmly on his college list.
This fall, Christendom will host Crusader Afternoon events — a perfect opportunity for students at diocesan high schools to experience all Christendom offers.
Find out more
Go to christendom.edu/visit.
