Taking a peek at the 2024 Summit

Legatus’ annual Summit moves to the West Coast this year with another impressive program of events scheduled at a posh venue along the picturesque Pacific Coast.

Hundreds of Legatus members and guests will congregate January 25-27 at the Waldorf-Astoria Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, CA, located in Orange County near the Pacific Coast Highway just a few miles from historic Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano. The South Bay of Los Angeles Chapter and the San Diego Chapter are hosts for the event.

The three-day Summit will feature a slate of offerings designed to edify the mind, soul, and spirit, encompassing inspiring speakers, informative breakout sessions, social opportunities, and ample time for Mass, prayer, and the sacraments. Emcee for this year’s Summit is Olivia “Liv” Harrison, a popular podcast host and media guest known for her gifts of storytelling and humor.

Early arrivers might rise early on Thursday morning to tee off with the Legatus Annual Golf Tournament at the resort’s own top-rated course or partake in a luxurious Legatus Spa Morning at the hotel. Breakout sessions begin that afternoon, and shuttles will take visitors to the Capistrano mission for self-guided tours. 

LITURGY AND PRAYER

Eucharistic adoration, Confessions, a Rosary, and the opening Mass will be celebrated that afternoon at the mission basilica. A cocktail reception and dinner program featuring Fr. Robert Spitzer, author and president of the Magis Center for Reason and Faith, as keynoter will close the evening back at the resort. Spitzer will speak on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and eucharistic miracles.

Two Masses each day will be offered Friday and Saturday, with a Traditional Latin Mass at 7 a.m. followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament each morning in the Summit Chapel as well as Mass in the Monarch Ballroom each afternoon at 5:30 pm prior to the evening program. Adoration, Confessions, and the Rosary will be available for an hour before the afternoon liturgies. 

A pair of breakout sessions are scheduled for each afternoon, with multiple options for members and guests to choose from. Some of the topics already determined at press time include philanthropy, keeping kids and grandkids Catholic, living the virtues, Catholic investing, the definition of a person, technology in education, and homelessness. 

KEYNOTES AND GENERAL SESSIONS

Addressing the assembly during Friday’s general sessions will be Archbishop Timothy R. Broglio of the Military Services USA, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; Sr. Dede Byrne, P.O.S.C., a retired U.S. Army colonel and surgeon as well as an active missionary sister; Msgr. James Shea, president of the University of Mary, who will speak on “Knowing and Loving the Church through Troubled Times”; Lila Rose, founder and president of Live Action; and Austin Ruse, president of the Center for Family and Human Rights, whose topic will be “No Finer Time to Be a Faithful Catholic.”

Father Mike Schmitz, the popular author and media personality best known for his Bible in a Year and Catechism in a Year podcasts, will be keynote speaker at Friday’s dinner program with a talk titled “Pray the Mass Like Never Before.”

Highlights of Saturday’s general sessions will include talks by Alexandre Havard, author and founder of the Virtuous Leadership System; Maryanne Miller, retired four-star general in the U.S. Air Force; Jay Richards, director of the DeVos Center for Life, Religion, and Family, who will speak on the threat of gender ideology; and Jennifer Hubbard, president and CEO of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, named for her daughter who was killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in Newtown, CT.

Legatus awards will be presented throughout the Summit, which will conclude with a formal dinner and evening musical entertainment.

Between the impressive program, the exquisite accommodations, and the many recreational and sightseeing opportunities along the Southern California coastline, the 2024 Summit promises to provide participants with a memorable and satisfying experience.