Prayer in sports: healthy spirituality or superstition?

This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and guest host Sebastian sit down with Patrick Kelly, S.J. Father Pat holds the Heider Chair at Creighton University and is an expert in the theology of Sports.

Ashley, Sebastian and Father Pat discuss:

• Professional sports as the “last bastion” of public expressions of faith
• The fine line between prayer and superstition in sports
• Why the Vatican in invested in sports

Then, in a special faith-sharing segment, the hosts speak with Patrick Hyde, O.P., a Dominican priest and the pastor of St. Paul Catholic Center at Indiana University, about recent Heisman Trophy winner, Fernando Mendoza. Fernando, the quarterback of the IU football team, has been outspoken about his Catholic faith and is a frequent attendee of masses at St. Paul Center.

 Links for further reading: 

• Father Pat’s book, “Play, Sport and Spirit”
• These Olympic athletes are leaning on Christian faith going into the Winter Games
• Pope Leo adds feast day of St. John Henry Newman to universal calendar
• Pope Leo, Archbishop Coakley urge renewal of last US-Russia nuclear treaty

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