With extreme gratitude

As many of you know, my time as International Chaplain of Legatus has come to a conclusion after seven very fulfilling years. I want to take a moment to express my thanks to Tom Monaghan, John Hunt, Steve Beal, Jim Berlucchi and the many Board members with whom I have served during that time. You are all an inspiration and a credit to this great organization. Thank you for your leadership and your love of Christ and the Church. I would also like to thank Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua (Legatus’s Ecclesiastical Advisor), Bishop Roger Gries (Chaplain of the Cleveland Chapter), and the many chaplains with whom I have been associated for their deep faith, inspiration and friendship. I also owe a debt of gratitude to the many staff members who have taken such great care of me — indeed, attended to every detail of service. You made everything easy and were nothing less than a joy to work with.

Please allow me also to express my deep appreciation to the hundreds of members whom I have come to know personally through my role as International Chaplain. Many of you have adopted me into your families, others have opened the doors to great opportunities for ethics and leadership, and all of you have been tremendously supportive to both me and Legatus with unparalleled generosity. I am so proud to have been part of your lives and will make every attempt to remain so in the future.

Legatus has given me so much — inspiration, learning, edification and collegiality. Yet great as all these are, they pale by comparison to the many “friendships in the Lord” that have not only become integral to, but also transformative of, my life.

Legates seem to have the right combination of gifts, talents and charisms — love of Christ; intense faith; love of the Church; care for society, community and culture; devotion to principles; inspired leadership; creativity; business acumen; and loyalty to Church, family, country, and friends. A person is fortunate to have one or two friends who meet this description throughout a lifetime, yet we are fortunate enough to be surrounded by a community of such extraordinary individuals.

I will continue to serve Legatus in whatever way may be useful in the future. I will certainly maintain the friendships which have arisen during my time as International Chaplain and, knowing the Holy Spirit, I am certain that our paths will continue to cross. Please, please be assured of my prayers, friendship and love throughout the rest of my life. God’s blessings upon you all.

Fr. Robert Spitzer, SJ, served as Legatus’s International Chaplain from 2001-2008. He is president of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., an internationally known author, speaker and consultant.