Play Like a Champion offers reflections on the mysteries of the Rosary that are specific to athletes and teams. We encourage teams to pray this devotion together as a way to grow in faith and reflect on the presence of Christ in the sports experience.
The Rosary is a form of prayer and devotion that refers to a series of prayers focused on the life of Christ from the scriptures. Dedicated to Mary and asking for her intercession through a repetition of prayers that include the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be, the devotion is particularly popular in the tradition of the Catholic Church. Though not required, it is most often prayed using the strand of beads bearing the devotion’s name, with each bead representing one of the prayers. The beads of the Rosary are divided into five sections (called “decades”) and each decade represents an event from the life of Christ. These five events are grouped into a set of Mysteries, each with five events. The four Mysteries (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, Luminous) focus on an important part of the life of Christ. Those who pray these prayers can meditate on the individual mysteries and the life of Christ as a whole while connecting them to their own faith journey.
Looking for a special way to pray the Rosary? Try bringing a Living Rosary to your sport team. This beautiful prayer service takes some preparation and practice, but many find it makes for a powerful and prayerful tradition. A living rosary is when people are used to represent each bead of the rosary. Each person leads one prayer of the rosary. Gather your athletes (61 spots in all) to embody the Rosary. If you have fewer than 61 people, you may double-up duties. Try this as a team or a school community and send us a picture of your Living Rosary to encourage others to do the same!
