Blessings and Prayers:          Index

• 25 Inspirational Prayers and Bible Verses for Athletes

• An Athlete's Prayer

• "An Athlete's Prayer" Compete Inside

• "Believe" Fr. Brian Cavanaugh, TOR (PDF)

• "Beloved Young Athletes…" Saint John Paul II

• A Coach's Prayer

• "Competition" Harold Myra (PDF)

• A Golfer's Prayer

• Golf Tournament Prayer (PDF)

• "On Our Team..." adaptation from 1 Thess. 5:11, 13, 15-18 (PDF)

• Prayer for the Game of Life Richard Cardinal Cushing

• "Prayer for Sports and Life" The Christophers (PDF)

• Press On Toward The Goal - Philippians 3:13 (PDF)

• Rugby Team Prayer - Franciscan University, Steubenville OH

• "Team Prayer" Coach Lou Holtz (PDF)

• "Team Prayer" Fr. Brian Cavanaugh, TOR

Chaplains:          Index

• Team Chaplains: Neumann University — Center for Sport, Spirituality and Character Development. Every athletic team at Neumann has a chaplain, and the impact of those who volunteer for the role goes far beyond the offering of a pre-game prayer. More than a wing and a prayer.

• Theology of Sport | Sports Devotionals: Verité Sport - International Sports Ministry

• Coaching Staff and Sport Chaplain Expectations (FCA Chaplains)

• "Collegiate Sport Chaplaincy: Problems and Promise" by Steven Waller, Ph.D., D. Min., Lars Dzikus, Ph.D., Robin Hardin, Ph.D. Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 2008, 1, 107-123 107. © 2008 College Sport Research Institute.

• "An Epic Spiritual Development Plan for Athletes" by Coach Jay Phillips. But what on earth is a spiritual development plan? Where do we start when designing a spiritual development plan?

• Online Meetings for Character Coaches and Sports Chaplains (YouTube)

• Role of a Chaplain – Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)

  • Bible Reference Handout (FCA): great for athletes’ huddles as well as for coaches and volunteers.

  • More Than Winning Gospel - PDF (FCA): clearly communicates the Gospel message in the context of the athletic mindset.

• Baseball Chapel: an international ministry recognized by Major and Minor League Baseball and is responsible for the appointment and oversight of all team chapel leaders. Includes Daily Devotions and resource materials.

• Role of a Sports Chaplain: Sports Chaplaincy UK - Serving Sport Through Excellence in Chaplaincy - provides ‘holistic pastoral and spiritual care…all towards the well-being of people in sport.’

• Role of a Sport Team Chaplain

• The Sports Chaplain – Educator and Pastor (Pontifical Council of the Laity – Church and Sport).

• Sports Chaplain/Character Coach Blog (Roger Lipe, FCA Southern Illinois): This is a blog for my colleagues who are engaged in ministry with people of sport. In particular it is for those of us who refer to our roles as "Sports Chaplain," or "Character Coach."

  • "Sports Chaplain/Character Coach's Development Plan" Roger Lipe (PDF)

• Sport Chaplaincy: Adding a Game Face to the Many Faces of Chaplaincy by Anthony Maranise (in "Inside Homeland Security" as well as edited into a chapter in the textbook, "Sports Chaplaincy: Trends, Issues, & Debates," edited by Drs. Andrew Parker, Nick Watson, & John White), 2014; 2016, respectively.

• "Sports Clichés to Avoid Using" by Roger Lipe

Virtues, Ethics & Character Development:          Index

"Virtue and The Art of Living" by Dr. Edward P. Sri. A 10-part series of essays on virtue and the art of living. Lay Witness is a publication of Catholic United for the Faith, Inc.

• Aiming High: How to Grow in Virtue. Dr. Edward P. Sri

• The Art of Living: The First Step of Prudence. Dr. Edward P. Sri

• Prudence - Mother of All Virtues (PDF): Cardinal Virtues of Prudence, Justice, Fortitude & Temperance

• The Art of Living: Agony, Anxiety, and Decisiveness. Dr. Edward P. Sri

• The Art of Living: Patience and Perseverance. Dr. Edward P. Sri

• Diligence: the Virtue that Overcomes the Sin of Sloth

• Called to Greatness: The Virtue of Magnanimity. Dr. Edward P. Sri

• "Your Created Goodness: Developing and Improving a Positive Attitude and Healthy Self-Worth - A Concept for Spiritual Wellness." © October 2010. Fr. Brian Cavanaugh. TOR

• "A Challenge to Greatness: Magnanimity ~ The Virtue of Excellence" © 2021 Fr. Brian Cavanaugh, TOR

• "Magnanimity" Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI. What does it mean to be big-hearted, magnanimous? "…the Sermon on the Mount invites us to, a certain magnanimity, to have big enough hearts and minds that can rise above being slighted so as to be bigger than a given moment."

• Magnanimity - In Search of the Lost Virtue (PDF): "a reaching out of the soul to great things"

• Vainglory: Seeking the Praise of Men. Dr. Edward P. Sri

• Temperance and the Art of Eating. Dr. Edward P. Sri

• Anger and Virtue. Dr. Edward P. Sri

• Whose Rights? The Paradox of Moral Relativism. Dr. Edward P. Sri

• "Don't Impose Your Morality on Me! Dr. Edward P. Sr.

• "Virtue of Docility" Carolyn McKinney

• The Virtue of Prudence by Douglas McManaman

• The Virtue of Temperance by Doug McManaman

• The Virtue of Fortitude by Doug McManaman

• Fortitude: A Cardinal Virtue and a Gift of the Holy Spirit (About.com Catholicism). Fortitude is the virtue that allows us to overcome fear and to remain steady in our will in face of obstacles.

• The Virtue of Justice by Doug McManaman

• Diligence: the Virtue that Overcomes the Sin of Sloth

• "The Virtue of Discernment" Confraternity of Penitents (PDF)

• The Virtue-Driven Life by Mark Lowery, Ph.D. There are four cardinal moral virtues: prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude. They are called "cardinal" from the Latin word for "hinge," (cardo, cardinis) since the whole life of natural virtue pivots on these four key virtues. Think of these as "grooves" in your life that keep you headed toward your final destiny. Every particular virtue - patience, magnanimity, gratitude, trust - belongs to one of these grooves.

• Virtue of Sport - St. John Paul II (PDF) Catholic Register – Canada, 25 July 2012

• Virtues For Well-Being: Living With Peacefulness In Any Life Situation by Rachel Perry.

Articles:          Index

• "A Christian Perspective on Sport"  by Fr. Brian Cavanaugh, TOR. St. John Paul II said, "Sportsmanship, as an ideal, is all about character. It’s about humility, honesty, loyalty, respect and generosity. It is not a quest for perfection but, like a faith journey, sportsmanship is a quest for virtue." (PDF)

  • “A Christian Perspective on Sport”: extensive resources on sport from a Christian perspective.

• 7 C’s to Build a Winning Team, Dave Kerpen (PDF)

• 10 Types of Negative Self-Talk (and How to Correct Them): Nick Wignall | July 27, 2018 | IN Guides. "A lot of mental and emotional suffering comes from the way we talk to ourselves in our own minds, what psychologists call negative self-talk.

• "10 Ways to Be a Great Teammate" Jon Gordon & Dr. Lauren Gallagher (PDF)

• "11 Thoughts About Teamwork" Jon Gordon (PDF)

• "Anxiety & Competition" Roger Lipe (PDF)

• Appreciate the Things You Have Coach John Wooden (PDF)

• Are You Praying for Victory? There can be an Uneasy Intersection Between Faith and Sports: by Jim Fair, April 6, 2021 | Exaudi Catholic News.

• "Are You a Real Team? Jon Gordon (PDF)

• "Aspire and Persevere" Coach Frank DiCocco (PDF)

• “Attitude”Roger D. Lipe (PDF)

• Be A Man: Joe Ehrmann at TEDxBaltimore (Feb 20, 2013). Joe Ehrmann has been an educator, author, activist, pastor and coach for more than 25 years. He was a college All-American athlete who played professional football for 13 years. Among numerous awards, Joe has been named "The Most Important Coach in America" for his work to transform the culture of sports.

• "Be Grateful for all Your Skills and Talents" Rabbi Zelig Pliskin (PDF)

• Between Active & Contemplative: The Co-mingling of Sports & Christian Theology by Anthony Maranise (in "The Church Health Reader"), 2015.

• Catholic Sports Not Just about Wins, but the Common Good – CRUX: by Father Patrick Kelly Jan 31, 2017.

• "Clarity is a Virtue" Joe Ehrmann (PDF)

• "Character and Sports" by Dan Roloff. The High Calling, Oct. 10, 2005.

• "The Christian's Competitive Instinct" by Earl Palmer. "The word for competition in the New Testament is the Greek word athleo, from which we have the English word athletic.…[St.] Paul uses the word athleo. He competes as one of a team of runners united against hardships, dangers, fears, and time – not against people or one another. This is the best way to compete, because it focuses not on my superiority or inadequacy alongside fellow athletes but our work together in a grand race to God’s glory…"

• "The Coach for Our Lives: Role of the Holy Spirit in the New Millennium." © March 2007, Fr. Brian Cavanaugh, TOR.

• "Coaches' Code of Conduct" Joe Ehrmann (PDF)

• "Cooperative Competition" Joe Ehrmann (PDF)

• "Discipline & Knowledge - Proverbs 23:12" Roger Lipes (PDF)

• "Do It Right - Every Time" Vince Lombardi (PDF)

• "Don’t Let Conflict Keep You from Success" by Chris Widener

• Emotional Health of Athletes and Coaches in Sport - Part 1: Interview with Assistant Professor Benjamin Houltberg from Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW); Part 2 of interview with Assistant Professor Houltberg.

• Faith and Athletics Blog: Creating the Intersection of Faith and Athletics

• God is Greater than the Game by Anthony Maranise (in "The West Tennessee Catholic" newspaper), 2009.

• "Have You Ever Lost Your Motivation?" A. Chernoff (PDF)

• "Hear No Ill of a Friend Nor Speak Any of an Enemy" Coach John Wooden (PDF)

• Honoring God through Sports (YouTube): Famous athletes that are not ashamed of whom they belong 2. Using your talent and winning is not a problem as long as your heart is on the right place and putting God first.

• "How Not to Determine Your Self-Worth" by Jay Phillips (FaithandAthletics.com). There is a problem in contemporary athletics that is played out in our homes, high schools, colleges, with our idols of the game, and in plenty of movies. Many young men and women derive their self-worth from their success or failure in sport.

• "Incarnational and Redemptive - Theology of Sports" by Richard McGrath, OSA, Momentum, Nov./Dec.2009, pp. 8-12. When done well and initiated from an appropriate Gospel perspective, the good experiences in sports spill over into the lives of players, parents and siblings, into the lives of their coaches and teachers and to the entire Catholic community.

• "Inspiration Evokes the Vision - Motivation Empowers the Mission" (PDF)

• Learning from Observation and Study (PDF)

• "Look For The Notetakers" Mike Deegan, Life Lessons Learned through Sports (PDF)

• Love the Game (PDF)

• Life Lesson from Coach Dabo Swinney (PDF)

• "Lessons From the Racquetball Court" Steve Goodier (PDF)

• "Magnify Your Blessings" Coach John Wooden (PDF)

• "The Man Who Is Not Afraid of Failure Seldom Has to Face It" (PDF)

• "Olympians & the Book of Hebrews: Running with Perseverance". Institute For Faith, Work & Economics – Hugh Whelchel | August 11, 2021. “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Heb 12:1-2.

• "Perfectionism Doesn’t Look Like We Think it Does": Most of us associate perfectionism with achievement, but they are not the same. Aleteia | Calah Alexander | Jul 20, 2017.

• "The Pernicious Folly of Comparison" Roger Lipe (PDF)

• Philosophic Reflections in Sport ~ A Collection of Essays. Jerzy Kosiewicz, Academy of Physical Education, Warsaw, Poland, September 2005.

• Philosophy of Sport: news and views related to the philosophical dimensions of sport.

• Policy Standards on Formation of the Human Person in Catholic School and College Sports: October 8, 2021 | The Cardinal Newman Society. “The goals of a Catholic institution’s sports program include student-athlete growth in physical skills and strength, growth in Christian character and virtue, and becoming a selfless and supportive member of a community. Through integral and holistic Catholic education, student-athletes will come to understand who they are as unified persons of body and soul, as sons and daughters of God, and as responsible members of a community.”

• Practice Makes Perfect: Growing Spiritually through Sports Participation by Anthony Maranise (in "The Catholic World: A Journal at the Intersection of Faith & Culture"), 2009.

• Press On Toward The Goal - Philippians 3:13 (PDF)

• "Proverbs 13:4 - Lazy of Diligent?" Roger Lipe (PDF)

• "The Pursuit of Excellence and the Scourge of Doping: Ethics in Sport as a Social Paradigm" by Fr. Kevin Lixey, LC, International Sport Forum, June 2, 2010, Brussels.

• "A Reason To Win – The Only Disability in Life is a Bad Attitude": Matthew Jeffers, a senior acting major at Towson University in Maryland wrote a letter to the Baltimore Ravens, his favorite NFL team. It was a perspective of his struggles with Skeletal Dysplasia, in relation to the struggles of winning a Super Bowl, with the ultimate lesson that, "Life is not fair," it doesn't care about feeling sorry for yourself or self-pity.

• "Self-Talk for Positive Feedback Loops" (PDF)

• "Self-Talk of Persistence & Perseverance" Rabbi Zelig Pliskin (PDF)

• "The Smallest Good Deed is Better than the Best Intention" Coach John Wooden (PDF)

• "The Spirit in Competition" by Tim Stafford. The High Calling, Jan. 15, 2008.

• "The Spirituality of Sports in Catholic Schools" by Chad Evans, Momentum, Nov./Dec.2009, pp. 36-38.

• "Sports and Character: Five Question! Five Answers" by Edward DeRoche, Momentum, Nov./Dec.2009.

• Sports and Christianity: Articles on issues and topics in Christianity and Sports.

• "Sports and God" – Remarks by Ray McKenna, Catholic Athletes for Christ, Presented to the International Seminar on Sports at the Service of Humanity, Vatican Pontifical Council for Culture, Vatican City, September 2, 2014.

• "Sports and Spirituality in Jesuit Higher Education" by Mark Bandsuch, S.J. Conversations on Jesuit Higher Education, Volume 21 Article 6, 4-1-2002.

• Sports Are Not Only Play, But Are a Way to Sainthood. July 23, 2018 | ZENIT interview with Fr. Patrick Kelly, SJ, Ph.D., associate professor, Seattle University: "…sports has a significant impact on human beings and relationships between cultures, nations and religious traditions."

• "Sport in Light of the Year of St. Paul and in Response to the ‘Educational Emergency’" by Fr. Kevin Lixey, LC. Sports Symposium in conjunction with the XX Parafiada Games, John Paul II Olympic Center, Warsaw, July 7, 2008.

• Superstition & Religious Ritual: An Examination of their Effects & Utilization in Sports from a Judeo-Christian Perspective by Anthony Maranise (in "The Sport Psychologist"), 2013.

• "Team - Spirit" Swen Eric Nater (PDF)

• "Timeless Lessons From John Wooden, the Greatest Coach of All Time" – SUCCESS March 13, 2016. Four essays from those influenced by the leadership icon and legendary basketball coach

  • Coach John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success

• Toward a Theology of Competition and Sport by Dr. Greg Linville.

• "Triple-Play: Linking Sports, Spirituality, and Catholic Higher Education" by Michael Galligan-Stierle and Lee M. DelleMonache. Reprinted by permission of National Catholic Reporter, ncronline.org.

• The Ultimate Guide to Strength Sports for Masters Athletes (And Why They’re for You): Nick English | Updated on June 9, 2020. What we really want to focus on is how being a regular old amateur who takes up strength sports as a hobby — like your buddies who play pickup basketball or football — can experience huge benefits to their physical and mental health.

• "What Do Sports and Prayer Have in Common?" by Charles Bouvier – Aleteia, March 4, 2017.

• What Makes a Team Strong?

• "Whether God Has a Rooting Interest" by Marek Fuchs (NY Times)

• Wooden Wednesday: Try to Help Others Every Day (PDF)

• "Work & Play: What is the Spirit of the Game?" by Dan Roloff. The High Calling, Sept. 14, 2009.

Quotations on Sports:          Index

Books on Sports:          Index

• Sport & the Spiritual Life: The Integration of Playing & Praying by Anthony Maranise (Order of St. Benedict, 2013)

Miscellaneous:          Index