DEARBORN -The Latin word legatus means ambassador.

When Tom Monaghan formed Legatus seven years ago for corporate chief executives, it was his hope that the group would educate its members in their faith and encourage them to practice their Catholicism in the marketplace.

More specifically, to serve as ambassadors of Christ in the marketplace.

It’s working, to judge by the enthusiasm and stories told during Legatus’ first national awards ceremony held last month in Dearborn.

"Legatus has been life-changing for me," said Tim Bush, head of a California estate planning law firm, He said the spiritual focus of the group has made a dramatic impact in his approach to business. Legatus, he said, "is treating problems, not symptoms. We are not what we do, but what we pray about. Prayer is the solution."

Mike Timmis, CEO of Talon Corp., said Legatus helps him to focus more directly on his role as a Christian in the business world.

Monthly Legatus meetings, he said, provide a forum for top Catholic business executives and professionals - and their spouses - "to gather in the name of Christ to deal with issues of the day, to see how God would have you become part of the answer to the problems of society."

He quoted St. Paul’s Second Epistle to the Corinthians in noting that there is "a call to be ambassadors in Christ in the business world, and to society in general."

Tom Angott, who was a founding member of Legatus and has since recruited 125 others to join, said the organization allows "Catholic CEO’s and leaders to come together, to know and respect each other, to understand common bonds, and the things we all share in our religious and professional and family life."

He said the group deals with "our Catholicity and weaving it into our business life...ethical conflicts, truthfulness as an advantage, fair dealing with customers, suppliers, employees, and how to maintain constantly high Catholic ideals."

"Legatus gives us an opportunity to grow in our faith and learn how to incorporate Christian values in business," Adeline Lafaret, of Health Care Professional Ltd., said. "The support we have in each other is the strength of Legatus, and that helps give us strength and courage to go into the marketplace."

Legatus today numbers just over 300 members in 12 chapters nationally. There are two local chapters, one based in Detroit and the other in Ann Arbor.

"We’re growing way too slowly, gradually," Monaghan said, "I would have hoped we would be a lot larger by now.

Critics of Legatus note that because the membership requirements are fairly strict, the pool of potential members is Limited. Only chief executive officers of multi-million dollar companies or huge agencies can join.

But, that’s the goal, Monaghan noted. Legatus is for leaders of proven talent and leadership who can turn some of their energy to helping the Church.

"When people get turned on to their faith, especially people with assets, talent and control, extraordinary things can happen. It can snowball," he told The Michigan Catholic. "The Church needs lay leaders."

Legatus members are making a difference, most often quietly, with no fanfare. Many local Legatus members, for example, are well known as philanthropists and organizers of significant fund-raisers for every manner of Catholic organization.

Some also are known for more controversial work.

For example, Legatus member Mary Cunningham Agee operates The Nurturing Network in Boise, Idaho, which has received wide acclaim, even in the secular media for its heroic work in meeting the needs of unwed pregnant women so they can bring their babies to term. Women from around the country are referred to Agee, who then helps to arrange housing, medical care, employment and so forth for the needy woman.

Agee, who has been featured in all sorts of newspapers and television programs, including the TV show "48 Hours," gave up her brilliant corporate career to found the organization. She was a high-powered vice president at the former Detroit-based Bendix Corp.

Born and raised Catholic, Agee credits her faith for the vision to found Nurturing Network, and the stamina to stick with her project.

For her efforts, she was given the Legatus "Program Excellence" award during the annual conference.

A non-member, financier John Donahue, was given the "Courage in the Marketplace Award." Donahue, an officer of Federated Investors who helps manage a $55billion portfolio, sold some $60 million worth of Time Warner Corp. stock for its insistence on publishing the record "Cop Killer," Madonna’s pornographic photo album, and continued production of TV shows heavily laced with sex and violence.

In a scathing letter to Time Warner’s board, Donahue accused the company of arrogantly ignoring the mainstream of America which is bitterly offended by such productions.