The Jubilee of Sport celebrates the opportunities within sport for evangelisation and encounter with Jesus Christ, recognising the many ways that sport can foster the full development of the human person.
PRAYER
We give thanks for the gift of our bodies,
for the ability to run, walk, jump,
swim, catch and throw.
We pray for patience and discipline,
that we may learn the joy of mastering new skills:
achieving success, and cheerfully bearing failure
in the company of others.
We pray that our relationships be enriched
through the friendships we form.
May we learn to include others across borders
of language, colour, gender and religion.
We pray that we care for others.
May we especially look out for those
who are differently abled,
and those often left on the boundaries.
Through our vigilance
may we always play fair,
and ensure that no one is abused or exploited.
We ask this through Jesus your son. Amen.
(From the Australian Catholic Bishops Social Justice Statement 2014-15)
TEACHING
From Scripture:
“As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8)
“Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one. So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself should not be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
From Pope John Paul’s homily for the Jubilee of Sports People (2000):
“4. Every Christian is called to become a strong athlete of Christ, that is, a faithful and courageous witness to his Gospel. But to succeed in this, he must persevere in prayer, be trained in virtue and follow the divine Master in everything.
“He, in fact, is God’s true athlete: Christ is the “more powerful” Man (cf. Mk 1: 7), who for our sake confronted and defeated the “opponent”, Satan, by the power of the Holy Spirit, thus inaugurating the kingdom of God. He teaches us that, to enter into glory, we must undergo suffering (cf. Lk 24: 26,46); he has gone before us on this path, so that we might follow in his footsteps.”
From Pope Francis’ address to the International Summit, ‘Sport for All’ (2022):
“The Church feels close to the world of sport, because she sees games and sporting activities as a place of personal encounter for people, a formation in virtue and fraternity. For this reason, sports find a home in the Church, especially in schools and parishes or youth centres.
“A sense of participation, sharing and being part of a group is fostered when sports are played in such a way that the person is placed at the centre and the joy of playing together is valued. Indeed, I like to remind athletes, including professionals, not to lose the flavour of the game and “to live” their sport while always preserving the spirit of being an “amateur”. This is important. The reality of play is fundamental, especially for the very young: it gives joy, fosters sociability and engenders friendships, while also being formative. Thanks to sport we can establish strong and lasting relationships. Sports create community.”
TESTIMONY
“My life has been dedicated to the empowerment of others through God’s truth, whether in the classroom or on the sporting field. After thirteen years of coaching, and the understanding of how important goals and a good playbook can be – God has taught me that it is also in the rest, the recovery – that we grow stronger. Proper planning, practice and prayer can prevent poor performance: for without a good strong core (that being Christ) – our game has no centre.”
“I want to show and teach people about my faith through my actions, not coercion. I want to show young people what having faith in God is, and cooperating with the Spirit is one sure way to have hope, peace and joy.”
– Marci Oringo-Vos, Canberra (NCE interview)
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
For athletes at all levels, that they may participate in sport with respect, courage, self-sacrifice and perseverance.
We pray to the Lord.
For all those involved in sport in any capacity, that they may witness to sport’s capacity to open the way to Christ.
We pray to the Lord.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Open the Way to Christ: Fostering a Pastoral Ministry of Sport (Bishops Commission for Evangelisation, Laity and Ministry, 2024)
Giving the best of yourself: A document about the Christian perspective on sport and the human person (Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, 2018)
A Crown for Australia: Striving for the Best in our Sporting Nation (Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, 2014)
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