They propose a patron Don Bosco Soccer

Vienna (Austria), July 23, 1910 (AICA)

sport sponsorship saint

journalist Albert Christian Sellner proposed at the homepage of the Austrian daily “Der Standard” which is named Patron Don Bosco soccer and suggested that Pope Benedict XVI is the sponsor of this recognition.

edition weekend, July 3-4, Sellner notes that many soccer players cross themselves and pray to heaven for sports competitions, but they lack an official patron saint in this profession.

We know that FIFA banned the use of religious symbols and gestures, but most players ignored this ban and publicly express their religious faith.

coach of Argentina, Maradona, for example, in this World Cup in South Africa saw him carry the cross and a rosary in his hand during the development of parties.

Indeed, many professional and social areas have a patron saint, St. Isidore of Seville is the patron saint of the Internet, Santa Clara of Assisi TV, San Jose, Cupertino travel in space and in some countries, such as Argentina, for students in difficulty, the archangel Gabriel telecommunications. Also in certain sports such as San Sebastian for the athletes, but the players will miss their patron saint.

national teams could refer to the saints of their own country and England at San Jorge, France to St. Joan of Arc, Italy to San Francisco de Asis, San Martín Slovakia.

And who can be the standard of soccer? Sellner’s answer is, no doubt, Don Bosco, because the features are youth soccer, friendship, joy, art and partying with the ball, characteristics that are present in the figure of Don Bosco.

article traces a biographical profile of the holy fast Turin, quickly recalling his tours of the city in search of street children and house them a suitable place, and showing all its playful qualities, artistic and creative that helped in the educational mission. “Until the end of his life more than 200 young people had had the benefit of his friendship.”

proposal is straightforward. As John Paul II told Don Bosco “Father and teacher of youth”, “Benedict XVI would have the opportunity to gain merit in the world of soccer Don Bosco proclaiming patron of soccer.”

proposal honors the great contribution that Don Bosco and his Salesians gave the game and sport as places of education and human development, showing the value of unity than the competition. +