France’s Maxime Mermoz, left, is tackled by Wynand Olivier, center, and Heinrich Brussow of South Africa during their international rugby union match in Toulouse, southwestern France, Friday, Nov. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
On reading that Pope John Paul II had his “heroic virtues” approved by the Vatican, I thought, does this mean in the future, rugby will have a saint? Because, amongst a bunch of noble deeds, a young Karol Wojtyła played for his national team of Poland, in rugby union.
The promising Saint and former Pope has had his path to sainthood fast-tracked by Benedict XVI, waving the five year waiting period for approval of heroic virtues, and some are saying he could be beatified within a year.
More importantly, Sainthood comes with patronage, and amongst other things, I’m sure the rugby union community could push for his patronage of the game he’s obviously enjoying playing up in heaven.
Currently the two Saints considered patrons of athletes and heavily followed for football are Saints Sebastian and Saint Christopher, respectively.
Both are third century martyrs who are also patrons to, among other things, protection and archers. It is common for some Catholic athletes to wear medals of these two Saints during play, as they are seen to protect them from injury during games.
Patronage for a Saint is appointed, through, the church and the representation of Poland in rugby is a part of Pope John Paul II’s life, so it would be quite befitting.
Of course, eventual sainthood for the late Pope may be well off into the future, but rugby will most likely exist then and be primed and ready to receive a patronage.
MikeM
Guest
Yes, Wojtyła played on the right wing. Not a team player, as I recall.
rugbyfuture
Roar Guru
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/coventry_warwickshire/8439488.stm irish international. not to worry, their are plenty of joeys and view boys and monks and priests im sure who could fill the rest of the ranks
Viscount Crouchback
Guest
Euan Murray, the Northampton, Scotland and British Lions prop, also refuses to play on Sundays. He's missed quite a few games and will miss many more, including Six Nations fixtures, such is the modern rugby schedule. I wonder whether Saints pay him by the match?
Spiro Zavos
Expert
How appropriate it would be if Pope John Paul II were made a saint thereby giving the game they play in heaven its captain. Although he will never be made a saint (wrong church) Eric Liddell, the hero of 'Chariots of Fire' would surely be in the team as a winger. After his Olympic triumphs, Liddell played rugby for Scotland and then spent his life as a missionary in China. He was a great and saintly man. I know that Father Paul Markham, a Catholic priest, played rugby for New Zealand. How many other churchmen were rugby internationals? Michael Jones like Liddell refused to play sport on Sunday, a religious practice that might have cost the All Blacks two Rugby World Cups. He did not play against Australia in the Dublin semi-final in 1991, and was not selected for the 1995 tournament because the final was on a Sunday and coach Laurie Mains felt that he needed a breakaway who could play in all the finals matches.