Posted on 12/16/2016 5:19:41 PM PST by marshmallow
Washington D.C., Dec 15, 2016 / 03:05 am (CNA/EWTN News).- You might have seen an Army chaplain devoutly praying the rosary on the sideline during Saturday's Army-Navy football game. Who was he and what was he praying for?
“I always pray for both our teams, for no serious injury on either team. And I pray for the kids on both teams, and just for their holiness and their salvation,” Fr. Matthew Pawlikowski, chaplain of the United States Military Academy at West Point, told CNA.
“And then I ask for Army's victory,” he added.
Saturday's Army-Navy game was the 117th meeting between the teams, held at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium. It is an annual tradition attended by Midshipmen and Cadets who will serve in the United States military after college.
Army won for the first time in 15 years, 21-17.
Fr. Pawlikowski was seen kneeling on the sideline late in the game during its crucial moments praying a rosary. He noted that he always prays a rosary at the academy's football games, but at Saturday's game against Navy he prayed a full rosary, all four sets of mysteries.
After the game, he admitted that he prayed for the defeated Navy players too.
I was glad that we won, but I did pray for Navy, and especially for their seniors, their 'Firsties.' They wanted to win just as much as we do,” he said. “So what if they've won 14 years in a row? That senior class, it's important to them to beat Army.”
While he has been the senior chaplain at West Point for two years – the first Catholic to hold the position – Fr. Pawlikowski has actually been serving as an active-duty Army chaplain since 2000.
“I love being a priest. And I love being a priest.....
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicnewsagency.com ...
He may be ordained for the Military Archdiocese.
Praying for people’s salvation and an injury-free game is always appropriate.
The smart ones do. Every day.
In the middle of crunch time in a football game ain’t about salvation dear
Which is what I find offputting
This guy is on his knees like the Titanic is sinking publicly in front of millions praying for a win
I don’t like that and I’m commenting on it
Praying for their salvation at that critical juncture is a reach of reaches
I grew up where we prayed for the well being and safety of all in a circle before games in the south
The Christ haters in media and Hollywood and govt have done their best to quell that so I sure support his right to pray as such even though to me it seemed tacky
It only matters what Our Lord thought.
They do not seem to have spoken with Fr P and asked what his prayer intentions were. It appears they made assumptions. BTW, both DH and I have Combat rosaries.
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