Major League Soccer All-Star Rediscovers Beauty of Catholic Faith

National Catholic Register ^ | July 25, 2012 | Trent Beattie

[sayuncledave]

Eddie Gaven is in his 10th season of Major League Soccer. His career includes an MLS All-Star Game appearance in 2004 and an MLS Cup victory with the Columbus Crew in 2008. These are impressive accomplishments for anyone, but what makes them even more so is that Gaven is only 25. In 2003, the Hamilton Township, N.J., native was the youngest player up to that point to sign an MLS contract. He was only 16 at the time. While Gaven’s soccer career was pursued with youthful zeal, his Catholic faith was left to decay. The restoration of his faith started when his beloved game of soccer was briefly taken away from him. He was out with an injury, which left him with plenty of time to think about where he was headed. While Gaven still plays soccer with great enthusiasm, he now realizes where his greatest treasure is: in the Catholic Church. He appreciates many things about the Church, but most especially Mass. Gaven spoke with Register correspondent Trent Beattie about his soccer career and re-conversion in anticipation of the MLS All-Star Game, which takes place July 25 at PPL Park in Chester, Pa.

[sayuncledave]

"Columbus Crew midfielder Eddie Gaven pursues soccer career with proper perspective."

Great story, for your perusal.

[sayuncledave]

ping

[the invisib1e hand]

"Major League Soccer".

Yeah, right.

[sayuncledave]

It is a bit “jumbo shrimp,” in that regard, but I thought that the story itself was better than the headline, which I quoted, but didn’t concoct myself.

[NYer]

Eddie Gaven holds newly baptized son while St. Joseph looks on.

I picked up one of those blue Pieta prayer booklets, which contained the 15 prayers of St. Bridget of Sweden. There are 20 promises that go along with saying the prayers for a year, and so I prayed them every day for a whole year.

I found that as my prayer life grew, so did how seriously I took the faith. The more I prayed, the more I wanted to attend Mass, go to the sacrament of penance and live out the virtues in everyday life. This was in contrast to how I lived previously — not going to Mass or penance and just being overly concerned about soccer all day. The conversion was certainly tied to praying more and better than I had previously.

Very powerful conversion story! Take a moment to read it in its entirety.

[Salvation]

**While Gaven still plays soccer with great enthusiasm, he now realizes where his greatest treasure is: in the Catholic Church. He appreciates many things about the Church, but most especially Mass.**

We love reverts too!

[AliVeritas]

Praised be Jesus Christ!

There were two US women’s soccer players who proclaimed Christ as well.