THE LEGATUS MISSION
PREFACE
In the love of our Lord Jesus Christ,
His Church, and His Vicar on earth, Legatus is an international
organization of practicing Catholic
laymen and laywomen comprised of leaders in the business community and professional enterprises with their spouses.
MISSION STATEMENT
To study, live and spread the Faith in our business, professional and
personal lives.
Message from t
A Message from our Board President, Jerry McKeever:
I have been reading my Legatus Chapter Officer Manual, and in so doing I am reminded that Legatus is the only organization in the world specifically designed by and for business and professional Catholic leaders and their spouses.And the emphasis is on Catholic. As our chaplain Bishop Roger explains, “The Legatus concept is simple. Legatus membership means you are a Catholic, a better spouse, and a better leader.”
I don’t remember filling out the Legatus “Membership Application Form.” I stumbled upon it yesterday in that Chapter Officer Manual I mentioned earlier. I was surprised. The membership application emphatically reinforces our organization’s Catholic emphasis by including what is referred to as “religious criteria” to be considered for membership. Some would call it a religious test.
On the application form, prospective members are asked to pledge that “I am a practicing Catholic in good standing with the Catholic Church,” specifically acknowledging that “I am baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith; I observe Church law concerning marriage; I am committed to the sacredness of life from conception to its natural end; I am committed to the Magisterial teachings of the Church; I follow the precepts of the Catholic Church.”
The application form lists the precepts applicants pledge to follow, specifically quoted from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraphs 20141-20143): “(a) you shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor; (b) you shall confess your sins at least once a year; (c) you shall receive the sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season; (d) you shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church; (e) you shall help to provide for the needs of the Church.”
So, Legatus means to be Catholic--absolutely, profoundly, and inherently. To that end, on Legatus Wednesdays during the year, we are provided the opportunity to enjoy great venues, superb speakers, fabulous food, drink, and friendship--but it is in the celebration of Mass that we have the central focus for the evening.
We are Catholic, we are sinners, too. At Legatus meetings, we have the opportunity to go to Confession before Mass. The Sacraments are gifts from God, freely given to us as Catholics. Meetings begin with Confession, then Mass. Let’s keep the faith by going to both and celebrate our Catholicism by taking advantage of all that our Legatus meetings have to offer.
Jerry McKeever