Summits build the Legatus family

This year’s Legatus Summit has members fired up about being Catholic . . .

John J. Hunt

The spirit of Legatus is visible wherever “two or more” Legates are gathered. Members’ love for our faith is infectious.

Nowhere has this shared Catholicity been more evident than during the recent 2010 Legatus Summit at the St. Regis Resort in Dana Point, Calif. The largest attendance in recent memory — nearly 500 strong — experienced beautiful and inspirational liturgies highlighted by the Friday evening Mass in the Mission Basilica of San Juan Capistrano, celebrated by Cardinal Francis George, archbishop of Chicago and president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Summit offered speakers such as Thomas Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Hon. David Walker, former Comptroller General of the United States. Both commented on the challenging economic times facing our nation.

Cardinal George appealed to the gathered Legates to “guide” him and his fellow bishops in accomplishing the goals outlined by Pope Benedict XVI in Caritas in Veritate. We Catholic professionals are uniquely qualified to play our proper role as the Church travels the often difficult road of bringing Christ to the culture.

All were moved by the remarks of Newt and Callista Gingrich as they shared, not only the inspiring story of Newt’s conversion to the Catholic faith, but their joint effort to bring to the screen the story of Pope John Paul II’s return to Poland following his election to the papacy. Nine Days That Changed the World is a saga of strength wrapped in love. It documents the Solidarity moment that inspired an enslaved people to shake free from atheistic communism. The film will be released on DVD in a few months.

Without question the pinnacle of the weekend was an insightful glimpse into the role of the presidency and its impact on our country and the world so generously shared by George W. Bush, 43rd president of the United States. Legatus’ presentation of the Cardinal John J. O’Connor Pro-Life Award to President Bush was a most appropriate conclusion to his visit.

Legatus Summits are uniformly faith-filled experiences. I encourage you to plan now to join your Legatus family at the elegant Ritz-Carlton Resort in Naples, Fla., from Feb. 3-5 for the 2011 Summit. See you there!

John Hunt is Legatus’ executive director. He and his wife Kathie are members of Legatus’ Chicago Chapter.