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Beginning the Desert

With the beginning of Lent, we step into the desert. 

We all find ourselves in the desert sometimes. We all have periods of spiritual dryness or desolation, whether in connection with events in our lives or simply as part of our journey of faith – and for reasons we might or might not be able to see. But whatever the catalyst and whatever the topography of our particular desert places, we all spend time there. 

Deserts are remote, solitary spaces, where it can be hard to pick out the thread of a trail. Sometimes we have to rely on little stacks of stones left by other travelers. Sometimes we have to navigate by the sun or the stars, which burn clearer in an arid, scouring place. 

Deserts are places of poverty. Traveling through them we can only carry what’s essential. In the overwhelming heat and plunging cold, unshielded extremes strip away our distractions and complacency, and we have the opportunity to learn who we are and what’s really important. 

Possibly more than any other kind of experience, the desert invites us to recognize our need for God. To stop ignoring Him or interrupting Him, deferring His life or cluttering the path of His grace. When we lose the furniture blocking the door to whatever part of our lives we thought we couldn’t bear to give Him, there is only the door left. And outside it, Christ.

This is why we need Lent. It allows us to choose the desert for a time; it teaches us how to survive when we end up in those deserts of our lives, when we feel alone and lost and so tired. The answer is always the same. Turn to Christ. He is even closer to us in the desert than at any other time because the desert has a way of removing the things we use, even subconsciously, to keep Him at a distance.

This Lent, whatever desert sacrifices you make or devotional compasses you carry with you, I invite you to join me in two particular ways: 

First, try always to remember that the desert is ultimately a place of hope: revealing the reality that God answers our poverty by coming to find us within it. He embraced and suffered this poverty, Himself, and He has not left us to travel it in isolation. God calls us into the desert because only by rejecting the illusion of our self-sufficiency and embracing our own poverty can we receive the inexpressible wealth of His life. The Way of the Cross is the road to Resurrection.

Second, although in the desert we are, in a profound sense, alone with God, our God is in fact Love, and He always invites us to participate in His love for others. By His mercy, then, we also have some share in our loved ones’ desert journeys. In the comfort of this, let’s try to find small, concrete ways to accompany each other through Lent, to leave little stacks of stones or bits of star charts for our fellow wanderers and pilgrims. An act of love from desert to desert, however small, can remind someone, by the grace of God, of the hope for which the desert itself exists. It can help us remember that the Way is Love. 

Safe journeys, friends.

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Belmont Abbey College Expands Program in Washington, D.C. with Groundbreaking Initiatives

Belmont Abbey College Expands Program in Washington, D.C. with Groundbreaking Initiatives

Belmont, N.C. (February 28, 2025) – Belmont Abbey College is thrilled to announce an expansion of its Belmont House on Capitol Hill and its commitment to further establishing a significant presence in Washington, D.C., aimed at amplifying faithful Catholic voices in media, politics, and culture. As a Catholic higher education institution, Belmont Abbey College is making a decisive commitment to defend religious freedoms and restore the public square through three groundbreaking initiatives: the establishment of a permanent Belmont House, plans for an Intentional Catholic Student Residency Program, and aspirations for new Academic Programs dedicated to promoting the transformation of political life and discourse.

Considering our founding as one nation under God, the role of faith and the pursuit of truth have never been more important than they are today, and Belmont Abbey College is rising to the challenge. This effort is part of the “Made Strong” element of the College’s Made True Capital Campaign, which has raised more than $130 million for the College. The focus of “Made Strong” underscores Belmont Abbey’s commitment to realigning culture with God’s truth and highlighting the essential relationship between religious freedom and civil society. Today’s program expansion is made possible by gifts totaling $15 million to support the three initiatives. These gifts are part of a $45 million plan to increase the effectiveness and significance of Belmont House on Capitol Hill.

“We are taking Catholic higher education to a new level, we are ensuring that as a faithful Catholic college our voice is heard in the public square,” said Dr. Bill Thierfelder, President of Belmont Abbey College. “These initiatives will play a significant role in effecting the change needed to foster a culture that upholds faith, community, and the common good.”

The Belmont House: Since its founding in 2021, the Belmont House has quickly become a vital place of fellowship, collaboration, decision-making, and cultural influence on Capitol Hill. As just one example, strategic conversations held at the Belmont House during the International Religious Freedom Summit led directly to House Resolutions 82 and 5686, which address egregious human rights violations in Nigeria and Azerbaijan. With the acquisition of a new, permanent location on 3rd Street, just 500 feet from Capitol grounds, the College will continue to support and expand lay apostolates, convene thought leaders, build dynamic networks, and develop and offer programs with direct and tangible implications for public policy. Over the last three years, the Belmont House has already hosted dignitaries from across the globe, congressmen and senators addressing the issues of the day, alumni gatherings, and provided a space for impactful discussions and events that engage the broader public on issues of faith, culture, and politics. 

Intentional Catholic Student Residency Program: Adjoining the new permanent Belmont House, we plan to develop an Intentional Catholic Student Residency Program that will foster community within safe, affordable living spaces for at least 30 Catholic undergraduates interning on the Hill. The College envisions this program as a catalyst for collaboration, designed to inspire and invigorate the next generation of leaders. This round of funding included acquiring adjacent properties for future development that will allow this program to grow to 60 students a semester.

Academic Programs: Our future Academic Programs to promote the Common Good and to transform political discourse to equip future leaders to defend the role of faith in our society will provide enrichment and rigorous, faithful formation to students across secondary and post-secondary levels. The College anticipates that young professionals in the intended master’s degrees will develop expertise in political writing, legislative affairs, campaign management, statecraft, and more, infusing American political life with the guiding principles of natural law and divine Truth.

Belmont Abbey College believes that restoring our culture begins with a vision of human flourishing through God’s providence, a vision embodied by the College’s exceptional alumni and informed by 1,500 years of Benedictine tradition. The College’s network of alumni in Washington, D.C., will play a crucial role in advancing these initiatives, providing a direct link to influential sectors in politics, government, and beyond. This network will create a pipeline for current and future students seeking careers in public service, media, and policymaking. By fostering connections between students and seasoned professionals, Belmont Abbey College aims to equip the next generation of leaders with the tools and knowledge needed to promote a culture rooted in faith, service, and moral integrity. 

Through these efforts, the College is committed to making a lasting impact on society by shaping leaders who will advocate for the common good with a firm foundation in Catholic social teaching. Abbey alumni are a testament to these values and boldly carry them into the public sphere, inspiring others to do the same. Recent alumni like Lily Mullen, who currently serves as a Donor Relations Associate at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty; Grace Bruno, Health Policy Advisor in the U.S. Senate; and Nikolas von Spakovsky, Advance Team Associate for the Donald J. Trump for President 2024 campaign, are helping shape the political culture through their faith-driven service. These alumni exemplify the kind of leadership our culture urgently needs—leaders who approach challenges with a strong moral foundation rooted in faith. 

“This is only the beginning for the Belmont House,” said Executive Director Emmett McGroarty. “The Belmont House will be an anchor for the faithful on Capitol Hill, bringing strong moral leadership and the teachings of the Church into the heart of politics and public life and serving as a home for Catholics on the Hill. We are proud to be a voice for truth, advocating for the restoration of faith in the public square.”

Abbot Placid, Chancellor of Belmont Abbey College, shared his thoughts on the significance of these initiatives: “We are establishing a place in Washington, D.C., where, building on St. Benedict’s instruction to receive all guests as Christ, we can offer a space for people of good will to gather to discuss and promote religious liberty and the important contributions that faith communities can bring to public life. As a Catholic college, we can place the insights of the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Church’s social teaching at the service of those tasked with shaping the life of our country.”

Belmont Abbey announced these groundbreaking initiatives during the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., on February 28, 2025, where the College also served as a sponsor of the event. This occasion underscores the College’s deep commitment to promoting faith and values at the highest levels of public discourse. Following the breakfast, Belmont Abbey officials will join former congressmen and other distinguished guests, including Bishop Michael Martin of the Charlotte Diocese, for a hard-hat tour of the new facilities.

As Belmont Abbey College continues to deepen its presence in Washington, D.C., it remains steadfast in its mission to promote the values of the Catholic faith, defend religious freedom, and contribute positively to society. For more information about the Belmont House and its initiatives, please visit https://belmonthouse.bac.edu/.

Press Inquiry Contact:

Sarah Bolton, Marketing Project Manager, SarahBolton@bac.edu or 704-461-7016.

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Leading with Love featuring Robert “Navy Bob” Roncska

In this new episode of Conversatio, Dr. Brad Frazier sits down with Robert “Navy Bob” Roncska to discuss his remarkable leadership journey, from commanding a nuclear submarine to serving as White House Military Aide and transitioning into healthcare. Together, they explore the importance of leading with love, building trust in high-stakes environments, and how moral principles and servant leadership have shaped Bob’s approach to decision-making. They also dive into Bob’s new book, “Beyond the Sea,” and how his experiences in the military and White House continue to inform his leadership in the civilian world.

Listen now!

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