They have the same passion for the game of
football as any youngster. These priests don the blue jersey occasionally to
play the game and encourage youngsters to promote the vocation. The Goa
Diocesan Priests football team has over 22 priests playing for the team from
different parishes in Goa. The team’s jersey has the words ‘I belong to Jesus’
and ‘Follow Christ’ inscribed on it.
The Goa Diocesan Priests football team was
formed eight years ago by Fr Agnelo Rodrigues. He felt that the spiritual
development along with sports and music was important for an individual. Since
then, the priests have been promoting vocation through football. Fr Milagres
Dias from Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim has been managing
the team this year. He played football for over 17 years and was an athlete
when he got the vocational call. After graduation, he joined the seminary and
was more than happy to join the squad.
“Pope Francis put forth the message,
‘Surely you know that many runners take part in a race, but only one of them
wins the prize. Run, then, in such a way as to win the prize.’ We are taking
this message forward and participating in friendly exhibition matches in
different parishes in Goa. We have eight regular players and according to the
venue of the game, the priests are informed about it,” says Fr Milagres. After
their match at the Holy Spirit Church, Margao, six young boys have joined the
seminary and they hope for more to get involved.
It is interesting to see the priests play
the sport. “We play in a discipline manner on the ground and avoid pushing as
we have to set an example. However, we show the same passion to win matches.”
Under the rules set by Fr Milagres, a player who doesn’t respond back about
their participation in a match forfeits two consecutive matches which gives
other priests an opportunity to play.
The matches are well organised and the
priests have to be informed at least 15 to 30 days in advance. They put up
banners and spread the message of spirituality before the match. “There is no
age limit for the priests in the team. The organisers usually inform if they
need young or veteran players and we play a maximum of 60 minutes a match,”
concludes Fr Milagres.
