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.

Fluent in three languages, Fr. Marcel Taillon can’t say enough about the men and women he serves as chaplain. The former businessman says that his priesthood is enriched by his interaction with Legatus members. Earlier this year, he led members to the Legatus Annual Summit in Bermuda, then on a Lenten retreat to reflect on the mystery of suffering. The pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Providence, Fr. Taillon is also the director of ongoing formation of priests in the diocese.

Bishop Sam Jacobs is no stranger to the Legatus family. As the founding chaplain of the Houma-Thibodaux Chapter, the bishop was instrumental in developing the South Louisiana chapter. Known for his warmth as well as his energetic preaching, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1964. As a young priest, he served as pastor of several parishes in the dioceses of Lafayette and Lake Charles before being appointed bishop of Alexandria in 1989. He was installed as the third bishop of Houma-Thibodaux in 2003.

Bishop Sam Jacobs is no stranger to the Legatus family. As the founding chaplain of the Houma-Thibodaux Chapter, the bishop was instrumental in developing the South Louisiana chapter. Known for his warmth as well as his energetic preaching, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1964. As a young priest, he served as pastor of several parishes in the dioceses of Lafayette and Lake Charles before being appointed bishop of Alexandria in 1989. He was installed as the third bishop of Houma-Thibodaux in 2003.

Father Ralph O’Donnell is heartened by the Holy Father’s declaration of a special “Year for Priests,” which began in June. He begins the priestly year by welcoming a new chief shepherd in Omaha, Archbishop George Lucas. As the Omaha Chapter’s founding chaplain, Fr. O’Donnell is the former archdiocesan vocations director. The 39-year-old priest currently serves as the director of Omaha’s permanent diaconate program and the pastor of both St. Rose and St. Bridget parishes.

Detroit’s new Moderator of the Curia may have just celebrated his 10th anniversary of ordination, but the Legates he serves know he’s just getting started in his priestly ministry. Monsignor Robert McClory, only 45 years old, has already served the archdiocese as chancellor since 2003 and Legatus chaplain since 2002. The former attorney also serves as an assistant professor of canon law at Sacred Heart Major Seminary’s Graduate School of Theology and as a weekend associate pastor at St. Andrew Parish in Rochester.

Detroit’s new Moderator of the Curia may have just celebrated his 10th anniversary of ordination, but the Legates he serves know he’s just getting started in his priestly ministry. Monsignor Robert McClory, only 45 years old, has already served the archdiocese as chancellor since 2003 and Legatus chaplain since 2002. The former attorney also serves as an assistant professor of canon law at Sacred Heart Major Seminary’s Graduate School of Theology and as a weekend associate pastor at St. Andrew Parish in Rochester.

Whether they know it or not, Legates in San Francisco are impacting a whole generation of priests. The chapter’s chaplain, Fr. Michael Barber, uses his Legatus experience to inform his classroom of what Catholic leaders want in their priests and their parishes. A theology professor and director of the Spiritual Life Program at St. Patrick’s Seminary, Fr. Barber is also a Navy chaplain influencing a whole generation of Marines. He’s served as a Legatus chaplain in the City by the Bay for five years.

Father Dennis Cooney has earned a reputation as one of the most gifted preacher-teachers in the Legatus family. The former Oblate has served as the Naples Chapter’s chaplain for the past two years. He serves as pastor at St. Raphael Parish in Lehigh Acres, Fla., and as the Respect Life department moderator for the Diocese of Venice. Ordained in 1974, Fr. Cooney is a noted speaker at gatherings across the state of Florida, plus a much-sought-after spiritual director for staff and students at Ave Maria University.

Father Dennis Cooney has earned a reputation as one of the most gifted preacher-teachers in the Legatus family. The former Oblate has served as the Naples Chapter’s chaplain for the past two years. He serves as pastor at St. Raphael Parish in Lehigh Acres, Fla., and as the Respect Life department moderator for the Diocese of Venice. Ordained in 1974, Fr. Cooney is a noted speaker at gatherings across the state of Florida, plus a much-sought-after spiritual director for staff and students at Ave Maria University.

A man of diverse talents and interests, Fr. Joseph Cocucci is a mentor to seminarians, young priests, Legatus members and novelist Anne Rice who has come back to the Catholic faith. He serves as vocation director for the Wilmington, Del., diocese and rector of The Cathedral of St. Peter. The founding chaplain of the chapter, Fr. Cocucci’s business background gives him unique insight, which the former Jesuit brings to Legates each month. In addition, he’s a musician and lyricist with a heart for Ignatian spirituality.

Although he brings a diverse background to Legatus, Fr. Joseph Doyle is a teacher at heart. As one of three chaplains for the New Orleans Chapter since it was founded in 2000, he serves as the principal of St. Augustine High School and volunteers at a crisis pregnancy center. Father Doyle is a member of the Josephites, an order of Catholic priests and brothers serving the African American community in the United States.

The chief shepherd of the Diocese of Lexington, Ky., calls himself a “cheerleader” for Legatus. After a chance meeting with Legatus’ founder in Rome, Bishop Ronald Gainer set out to launch a chapter in his diocese. With 14 committed couples already, the chapter continues to grow in the heart of America’s Protestant Bible Belt. He lauds Legatus’ mission to help members study, live and spread the faith, saying its many benefits to the Church are innumerable.

Arizona isn’t exactly a battleground state, but Fr. Jim Wall is in the trenches this month trying to win ground as his state decides on a state constitutional amendment to protect marriage. The director of the Mount Claret Retreat Center and the diocesan vicar for priests, Fr. Wall has been the Phoenix Chapter’s chaplain since it was chartered in 2004. He just celebrated his 10th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood, and he’s going all out to help Catholics understand the importance of preserving traditional marriage.

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.

Known for his keen intellect, fidelity to the Church and focus on vocations, Bishop Robert Morlino of the Diocese of Madison, Wisc., is the new International Chaplain for Legatus. A native of Scranton, Pa., Bishop Morlino was ordained a priest for the Society of Jesus in 1974. He taught 11 years at Jesuit schools until he was incardinated into the Kalamazoo, Mich., diocese in 1981. Pope John Paul II appointed him bishop of Helena, Mont., in 1999. Four years later, he was assign to Madison. He is the fourth Legatus chaplain.

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.

After five years of practicing law in Manhattan, a young attorney surrendered to God’s call to the priesthood. The founding chaplain of Legatus’ Long Island Chapter, Fr. John McCartney says he heard God’s call while attending daily Mass. He also recounts that he gained a deep understanding and appreciation for Legatus after one of Legatus’ founding fathers, Bowie Kuhn, invited him to his home on Long Island for breakfast.