LIVING THE EUCHARIST THROUGH SPORTS

“This is my body, which will be given up for you.” With these words Jesus proclaims his ultimate mission, and changes bread and wine into his body and blood to be our food and drink for eternal life. Those words – central to our identity as Catholics – also express the mission of everyone who plays a sport. Athletes sacrifice their body and all that dwells within – mind, spirit and will – for the good of someone and something beyond themselves. As people of the Eucharist, Catholic athletes make this sacrifice not only in imitation of Christ, but truly in him and through him as branches of his Eucharistic vine. Sports are thus a profound way to live the Eucharist. This book will help athletes reflect on their sport as a vocation that draws them into a deeper sense of discipleship. The Mass, Eucharistic adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, prayer, the Rosary, the liturgy year, humility, suffering, and what it means to be a member of the Body of Christ are among the topics covered, all from an athletic perspective. Each chapter concludes with questions for individual reflection or group discussion, as a resource for personal and communal growth. Finally, the presentation of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati as the perfect model and mentor for athletes provides a fitting conclusion to a very practical look at the relationship between sports and the living of one’s faith.

About the Author: James Penrice is the author of seven other titles from ST PAULS/Alba House, including Crossing Home: The Spiritual Lessons of Baseball, and Goal to Go: The Spiritual Lessons of Football. He is the Director of Adult Formation for St. Mary’s Parish in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he lives with his wife Gina and their children Zachary, Elizabeth and Nicholas.