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Throughout the Olympic Games, strength and endurance are put to the test. The rigorous training and dedication of over 10,000 athletes will allow them to “go for the gold.” It will also allow many to live out their faith in their commitment to fitness.
The athletic demands of sport and the rigors of the spiritual life have much in common. Too often, both the need to exercise and the need to pray are put aside. It’s more comfortable to avoid the challenges and denials necessary for growth in both sport and faith.
Recognizing the similarity between physical and spiritual growth, John Paul II urged every Christian to “become a strong athlete of Christ.” To do this, the saint said that Christians must “persevere in prayer, be trained in virtue, and follow the divine Master in everything.”
The Rosary, one of the most treasured Catholic devotions, is a prayer practice that can seem as off-putting as getting off the sofa and going to the gym. Like the commitment to physical exercise for the human body, the spiritual practice of the Rosary builds healthy “muscles of the soul.”
This centuries-old prayer, a favorite of Pope Saint John Paul II, calls for a daily dedication to meditate on the mysteries of its five decades. Committing to praying a full Rosary can seem unattainable to some, but, like any sport or skill, the Rosary demands dedication and the development of spiritual strength.
Saint Josemaria Escriva recognized the challenge. He said, “You always leave the Rosary for later, and you end up not saying it at all because you are sleepy.” He also recognized that the Rosary was a “powerful weapon,” and if used, “you’ll be amazed at the results.”
Many believe that the Rosary makes an excellent addition to physical exercise. Praying while jogging or walking combines both the physical and spiritual into one activity. Soulcore, a Catholic fitness apostolate, integrates the Rosary with movement. Through their app, website, and classes, they set out to strengthen both body and soul.
[...] Like athletes in their sports, Catholics, with practice and training, can master what seems impossible. Developing will, perseverance, and strength, enables Rosary Olympians to champion what St. Francis de Sales called “the greatest method of praying.” In doing so, they will deepen their connection to Our Lady and make a stand for their faith against the attacks of a secular world.