Scapular in Cabo sparks a divine appointment

As I travel to chapters within my region, I regularly speak with prospects and members, and often I ask them how they learned about Legatus. I always find it interesting — and inspiring — to hear of their encounters with other Legatus members and with Christ — encounters that are oftentimes deeply personal. 

I also have become quite familiar with the various objections to joining Legatus. I believe that the two most common objections heard are “I don’t have the time,” and — whether it’s spoken or simply thought — “What, or how much, do you want from me?” 

I remember quite vividly the experience of Bismarck Chapter member John Warford. John was trained as an orthodontist and built a thriving business as one of the premier providers of Invisalign throughout the country. He then went on to serve as mayor of Bismarck for 12 years and later served as dean of the business school at the University of Mary. John and his wife, Jennifer, were immersed in civic as well as Catholic projects. In fact, the beautiful grotto at the University of Mary, identically modeled after Lourdes, was their gift to the school.

John and Jennifer, in their own words, were clearly “tapped out” in terms of taking on any more services and activities. But as a courtesy to their ordinary, Bishop David Kagan, they reluctantly agreed to attend a Legatus event. That initial event turned into a second, a third, and eventually full membership. John says that he and Jennifer very quickly realized that Legatus was not draining them but was instead energizing them. It became an event that they look forward to every month. 

Recently, I heard a new member tell me how he learned about Legatus in — of all places — Cabo San Lucas, Mexico! While lounging around a pool there, Brian Cleveringa and his wife, Hannah, happened to be sitting near another man who was wearing a scapular. After a few minutes of casual conversation, Brian asked the man if he was Catholic. The man, Sam DePizzol, replied that he is, and then proceeded to ask Brian if he had ever heard of Legatus. Thus began an engaging conversation of faith, and the opportunity to introduce Brian to Legatus.

I am convinced that this was truly a divine appointment because it turns out that the two men — who never knew each other previously — were from the same city! They are now part of the same Legatus chapter in Denver.

I am sure that neither Brian nor Sam would consider himself to be an evangelist, and certainly not a street evangelist. But I am also sure that neither man was afraid of, or embarrassed by, his Catholic faith. One felt confident enough to ask about the other man’s scapular. The other, in turn, found it easy to explore Legatus with him.

We often hear the Legatus motto to “Study, Live, and Spread the Catholic Faith.” Very few of us will speak to an audience of, say, hundreds of people about our faith. But I do believe that all of us have opportunities — sometimes on a daily basis — to witness quietly and confidently to those the Lord puts in our midst. 

We cannot give what we ourselves do not have. But for those of us who have experienced the love of Christ, sharing that encounter can occur quite easily and naturally.

In the meantime, I am proposing to Stephen Henley that I work on starting a chapter in Cabo….