Chaplain moved by Legatus mission

Brooklyn-born Abbot Eugene Hayes loves ministry to Legatus members in California . . .

Abbot Eugene Hayes, O. Praem.

Abbot Eugene Hayes, O. Praem.

San Juan Capistrano Chapter

Even though he was born in Brooklyn, Abbot Eugene Hayes fell in love with Southern California — and the Norbertine Order — when he was a young man studying theology in New York. He joined St. Michael’s Abbey near San Juan Capistrano in the early 1970s. Father Hayes was eventually named head of the Norbertine order before being elected abbot of St. Michael’s. Education is the primary apostolate of the abbey, which has nearly 50 priests and 20 men in priestly formation.

Tell me about your call to the priesthood.

I was an altar boy in Brooklyn and lived a block from the church. In the second or third grade, the sister teaching us asked, “How many of you boys would like to be a priest?” Nearly everybody raised their hand. Later that day the pastor came in, and the sister told him that the boys wanted to be priests. He said, “I’m sure we can count on at least one of them to become a priest.” That stuck with me.

Our abbey was founded in 1961 by Hungarian refugees who fled Communism. The community has a high school on the abbey grounds, and we staff two other high schools. We have two parishes, and every weekend our priests are saying Mass in 30 different locations in the area.

How did you get involved with Legatus?

I got to know members through the Knights of Malta and Knights of the Holy Sepulchre. I would occasionally be asked to speak or say Mass for the local Legatus chapters. Two years ago there was interest in starting the San Juan Capistrano Chapter, and they asked me to be one of their chaplains when the chapter was launched last year.

What do you try to bring to the members every month?

I bring them the support of the Church to affirm that their mission is based in the Gospel. Legatus mean “ambassador” — one who is sent in the name of another to reinforce the theological basis of the Christian vocation. Legates are in a unique position to have a great impact because they’re people in the business world who are trying to live an exemplary Christian life along with their professional life — and integrate the two.

Legatus is not just another collegial organization. It’s a force for good, a force for spirituality. Ideally, after their chapter events, members go back into the workplace with a renewed sense of their mission as baptized Christians.

I’m edified to know people in top positions who put a high value on being a Christian. These are people who are successful, who know the world, yet they witness to the fact that it’s not all about money and worldly success. They have attained worldly success, but they know it’s not enough. The “something more” is God, who fills our lives with what only he can fill. It strengthens my vocation to know people like that.

How is your health? Legates have been praying for you.

I had cancer of the vocal cords followed by seven weeks — 33 sessions — of radiation therapy. My voice was barely a whisper, but it’s coming back. Thanks be to God, the doctors, and the many who prayed for me. The doctor said there’s no sign of cancer. It all came together in God’s great plan.

Will you be with us for the Summit, which is a few months away right in your backyard?

Yes. I’ve been to a couple of Summits, which I enjoyed immensely. It’s almost as if nobody’s a stranger at those meetings. It shows the great universality of our faith. There’s a common love for the truths of our faith, for our Holy Father and bishops. In addition to that, Southern California is a beautiful place to be in February!