Forums enrich your Legatus experience and spiritual life

In 2014, I was deeply honored to serve my dear friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ, as the president of the Denver Chapter. Our Chapter is the largest in the organization and has flourished for years, so it was a real joy for me to work side by side with such deeply committed people of faith.

During my tenure I would periodically receive calls and emails from other chapter presidents and officers asking me to share the secret to our success. I explained that John Saeman, our founding member and a wonderful and inspiring Catholic leader, recruited the ‘right’ deeply committed members with great intention to serve as the foundation for the Chapter. I believe this is an important consideration for those who are currently involved in forming and growing the many new chapters around the country.

The second factor contributing to the success of the Denver Chapter has been forums. We currently have 11 with plans to add more in 2021. In our faith lives we require the Word of God, prayer, and fellowship. We need likeminded people of faith to guide and assist us in our spiritual formation and it is through these shared experiences that we become more open to spiritual growth. These interactions and experiences serve as a catalyst, an accelerant of sorts, to inspire us to act. When we act, we take a step closer to the Lord.

We have all read of the strength of bonds forged through shared combat experiences. I served as a pilot in the Marine Corps and as a flight leader in combat and this is consistent with my personal experience. Through my experience in Legatus, I have also learned that the depths of friendship based on shared faith, and forged through personal interaction and life experiences, are quite similar to those resulting from combat. These experiences create profound and abiding friendships. This is where forums deliver.

Membership in a forum is akin to having a personal board of directors for all aspects of your life—business, personal and faith. Confidentiality is a non-negotiable for all members so there is no topic off limits if a member needs help or guidance. I routinely observe members mentoring each other’s children, supporting each other’s Catholic projects, and even doing business deals together. I have often described Legatus as “a small door into a large room… the large room of the Catholic Church.” Personally, through my Legatus relationships I have been provided opportunities to serve the Church, engage in impactful faith-based initiatives, and kiss the ring of the Holy Father!

Forums add the dimension of fellowship to our Legatus experience and to our faith lives. I strongly believe that forums should reside at the core of the Legatus experience for every member. The motto for our effort to create more forums and increase participation is Duc in altum (“Into the deep”). I challenge you to ask yourself if you feel there is more you can do to cast out into the deep? Are you open to the opportunity to develop close bonds of friendship based on shared faith to propel you in your spiritual growth? If you are searching, membership in a forum could be just the catalyst you seek.

RANDY HAMMOND and his wife, Kaye, have been Legatus members since 2011 and are members of the Denver Chapter. Randy serves on the Legatus International Board of Governors and is the chairman of the Forums Committee.