Legates for life

Legatus is gearing up for its 10th pro-life conference in the nation’s capital . . .

As the nation’s capital reaches the height of springtime splendor, pro-life leaders are forecasting a new springtime for America’s heart and soul after witnessing shifts in cultural attitudes and last year’s election of pro-life politicians to Congress.

With renewed vigor, Legatus members will converge on Washington, D.C., for the 10th Legatus Pro-Life Conference, April 30 to May 2 at the Park Hyatt hotel.

The conference brings Legates together with top political leaders and policy makers, including Speaker of the House John Boehner and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin.

“This conference is an opportunity for Legates to meet with key legislators in the House and Senate in order to reaffirm our commitment to life from conception to natural death,” said Laura Sacha, Legatus’ conference director. “It’s also an opportunity to learn about critical policy concerns affecting life issues, hear from speakers on current news in the pro-life movement, and join together in prayer that all Americans will appreciate and protect God’s gift of life.”

Open to all

But the event is not just for members in pro-life ministries, Sacha said. “It’s for every Legate who wants to learn more about life issues and how to make a difference. We’ll hear from speakers and meet legislators who are working to bring abortion to an end.”

This year’s conference includes VIP admission to a pro-life benefit dinner keynoted by Sarah Palin, all meals, three nights’ stay at the Park Hyatt in the heart of Washington, and special visits with prominent figures in the pro-life movement.

Highlights include:

• “Brunch with Boehner,” an intimate dining experience with the new Speaker of the House, the first Catholic with a 100% pro-life voting record to hold the position

• Daily Mass, including a private Mass in “America’s Church,” the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception

• Keynote addresses by prominent pro-lifers. Saturday night’s dinner will feature Sarah Palin. Sunday’s dinner speaker is Lila Rose, president and founder of Live Action (click here for a related story). Monday’s dinner features the new president of Ave Maria University, Jim Towey, a veteran educator and policymaker who served as director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives under President George W. Bush.

Peggy Hartshorn is president of Heartbeat International, which operates pregnancy help ministries in 48 countries (click her for a related story). A member of Legatus’ Pro-Life Committee, Hartshorn encourages everyone who is passionate about life issues to attend.

“Our pro-life conference is designed for a relatively small group compared to our Summit,” she explained. “This makes the event a very intimate gathering where each participant can talk personally to some of the most influential leaders in our nation’s capital. How else could any of us have lunch with the Speaker of the House or have a private meeting with a Supreme Court justice?”

The conference is not just about learning the latest news in the struggle to protect human life, Sacha said. Nor is it merely a matter of networking with top government and pro-life leaders. Without the centrality of the sacred, it would not be a Legatus conference.

“Starting our conference with an intimate Mass in our national shrine reminds us of the importance of prayer in our battle to return our nation to its founding principles and save precious lives from abortion,” she noted.

Matthew A. Rarey is Legatus Magazine’s editorial assistant.

To register, visit Legatus’ website and login or call (877) LEGATUS.