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Faith over fear
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February 1, 2021Each December, the annual Legatus Gala in Midtown Manhattan is a Christmas season highlight for members from New York City and far beyond. No event combines the incomparable, grandly decorated Park Avenue setting with the traditional chapter-meeting format – enjoyed by many different chapters adorned in black-tie elegance. The presence of a bishop to celebrate Mass, along with a nationally recognized keynote speaker to capstone the evening, elevate the occasion even more. A members-only special event of Legatus’ Northeast office, the Gala is a beloved 23-year-old Legatus tradition, treasured by all who have savored it for decades.
The theme of the December 2020 Gala was particularly relevant: Faith Over Fear. Held at the finish of a year when fear became something of a movement, the Gala showcased the triumph of Catholic determination for faith practice, as member-guests attended Mass in-person and enthusiastically received the Eucharist. Lead celebrant and homilist for Mass was Auxiliary Bishop Paul Sanchez of the Diocese of Brooklyn – whose diocese recently prevailed before the U.S. Supreme Court in a landmark case that checked government interference with people gathering to worship. That the Gala took place at all was an achievement. Throughout 2020, New York City was rocked by COVID-19 outbreaks and reactive shutdowns by authorities, widespread vandalism and rioting over the summer, and a surge in violent crime. But enthusiasm for the event outflanked such things, albeit with reduced capacity at the Union League Club, with 11 different Legatus chapters represented.
Splendor of faith
The 23rd Annual Legatus Gala began at the architecturally and artistically significant Church of Our Savior, beginning with rosary led by Floyd and Linda Carl (Bucks County), and confessions heard by Fr. Christopher Monturo, (Westchester County Chapter chaplain). Bishop Sanchez celebrated Mass and offered a memorable homily. Seated in the front pew was General John “Jack” Keane and his wife Angela, clearly impressed with the occasion’s splendor. After Mass, the group crossed Park Avenue to the Union League Club for a very brief reception followed by dinner.
After enjoying a fine surf n’ turf dinner, all present sat back for General Keane’s keynote address. As one of greatest soldiers America has ever produced, a career infantry paratrooper and top commander within the most celebrated units of the United States Army including the 101st Airborne and the 18th Airborne Corps, Keane is a Vietnam combat veteran decorated several times for battlefield valor. He rose through the ranks to become a four-star general and Army Chief of Staff. Before retirement, he held top-level command roles overseeing America’s wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Today, Keane is perhaps the best-known media resource on national security policy of our time, contributing analysis daily on Fox News Channel and other outlets. In March 2020 President Trump presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor our country conveys. While each year the Legatus Gala keynote speaker is a national figure, General Keane’s presence cast a particular stature on this year’s event.
Burning brighter today
In a 20-minute extemporaneous address from his heart, General Keane spoke candidly about his career as a soldier and the lessons it imbued on leadership, reflecting on what it is like to be part of a team who would die for each other. He recalled his very humble background growing up in a modest New York City neighborhood and learning lessons on the streets. He related how losing loved ones impacted him, be they fellow warfighters, or close family like his first wife Theresa and son Matthew, both deceased. He revealed much about his faith journey – a lifelong Catholic whose faith like many others has cooled at times before, but today burns stronger than ever. A spellbound audience of Legates leapt up with two rounds of standing ovation to welcome and bid farewell to the great Catholic general in what many longtime Gala attendees said was the best keynote ever.
A Gala many said wouldn’t happen in 2020 turned out to be the best of all because those who attended chose faith over fear, when it was countercultural to do so. Special recognition is offered to Lou and Pat DiCerbo, Jim and Kathleen Lynch, Paul and Sherry Durnan, Jim and Susan O’Hara, and Bill and Maureen Dooley whose support was instrumental this year in perpetuating this treasured Legatus tradition.
JOHN KNOWLES is Legatus’ Northeast Regional Director.
